7M - International Friendly Preview: Canada vs Uzbekistan - prediction, team news, lineups

Canada and Uzbekistan will face off in an international friendly at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Monday, marking the penultimate preparation match for both teams ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

Both sides head into this fixture following 0-0 draws in March, with Canada holding Tunisia to a stalemate, while Uzbekistan recorded the same scoreline against Venezuela before edging them 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Match Preview

As upcoming co-hosts of the World Cup, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the Canadian national team. Despite boasting a highly talented generation of players capable of making a strong impression in their third World Cup appearance, injury concerns are threatening their primary objective: securing their first-ever point on football's biggest stage.

Nonetheless, manager Jesse Marsch has his squad in excellent form, carrying a six-game unbeaten streak in competitive matches. Canada's primary strength lies in their airtight defensive unit, which has kept five clean sheets in their last six international outings and limited opponents to one goal or fewer in 13 of their last 14 fixtures. While Les Rouges are winless in their last four home games, they have been incredibly tough to beat on domestic soil, suffering just a single defeat in their last nine matches in Canada—a 1-0 loss to Australia in Montreal last October. History also favors the hosts, who won the only previous encounter between the two nations 2-1 during a 2016 friendly in Austria, courtesy of a late own goal.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, are prepared to make history this summer as the first Central Asian nation to reach the World Cup finals. Under the guidance of 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, the White Wolves have developed a stingy defensive identity, keeping clean sheets in three of their last four games.

The 50th-ranked nation by FIFA has proven exceptionally resilient, suffering only one defeat since a 3-2 World Cup qualifying loss to Qatar in November 2024, with that lone setback coming in a 2-1 friendly defeat against Uruguay last October. While Uzbekistan are unbeaten in their last three away matches, turning draws into wins has been a challenge, as they have secured just one victory in their last four road fixtures—a 1-0 win over North Korea in 2024. A key highlight of their defensive discipline is their current streak of four consecutive matches without conceding a second-half goal. Monday's clash will also represent their first match on North American soil since a 3-0 defeat against the USA in St. Louis back in 2023.

Team News

Canada will be without captain Alphonso Davies in his hometown as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain. On a positive note, Richie Laryea has overcome a thigh issue, Alistair Johnston is expected to return from a thigh strain, and Luc de Fougerolles could be available following a concussion. Stephen Eustaquio has recovered from a sore thigh, while defender Moise Bombito is confirmed for the World Cup roster despite missing the bulk of his club campaign with Nice due to a broken leg. However, Marcelo Flores will miss the World Cup entirely after suffering an ACL tear during the CONCACAF Champions Cup final with Tigres. Up front, Cyle Larin remains a focal point, sitting just one cap away from tying Jonathan Osorio for third place on the all-time national appearances list.

Uzbekistan face their own selection headaches, as both Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev (ankle) and Husniddin Aliqulov have been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup finals. More encouragingly, Jaloliddin Masharipov has recovered from his recent injury lay-off. Uncapped players Sherzod Esanov and Avazbek Ulmasaliev will both target their senior debuts on Monday, while Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov is poised to build on reaching his 25-cap milestone last time out. In attack, Igor Sergeev is one goal away from his 25th international strike, which would move him into a tie for fifth on the nation's all-time scoring list, though he remains well behind captain and record scorer Eldor Shomurodov, who leads the line with 44 goals.

Possible Starting Lineups

Canada possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Johnston, Cornelius, Waterman, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Kone, Ahmed; J. David, Larin

Uzbekistan possible starting lineup:

Yusupov; Eshmurodov, Khusanov, Ashurmatov; Alijonov, Hamrobekov, Shukurov, Sayfiev; Masharipov, Shomurodov, Fayzullaev

Prediction: Canada 1-0 Uzbekistan

Despite lacking several crucial components of their regular starting eleven, Canada possess superior squad depth and high-level alternatives. Expect their backup options to rise to the occasion on home turf and find a breakthrough against a disciplined Uzbek defense.