Canada’s men’s basketball team roster for the upcoming 2027 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will feature notable players, excluding some key names. General manager Rowan Barrett revealed the squad for the Americas qualifiers, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Atlanta Hawks being a prominent figure. Luguentz Dort, now with the Hawks after a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with other talents like Trae Bell-Haynes and Kelly Olynyk, will join the team.
The team will face Panama in Panama City and host Argentina in Quebec City in their upcoming matches. RJ Barrett and Bennedict Mathurin will serve as team ambassadors but will not play in the games. The absence of top NBA stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks was noted, with Barrett explaining that players faced various circumstances such as injuries, fatigue, contract issues, and training camp commitments.
Barrett emphasized the importance of managing player availability amidst challenges and highlighted the team’s depth with a pool of over 50 committed athletes. The focus remains on assembling a balanced and experienced squad for the qualifiers, aiming for optimal performance and execution on the court. The team’s current fifth-place world ranking and undefeated record in Group F position them well for World Cup qualification.