Alfie Jones is set to join Canada’s men’s national team as another high-profile dual-national recruit for Canada head coach Jesse Marsch.
Multiple sources have told The Athletic that the England-born Middlesbrough center back has had his eligibility to play for Canada approved. The 28-year-old, who is eligible to play for Canada through a grandparent on his mother’s side, will be named to Canada’s roster this week ahead of upcoming friendlies this month against Ecuador and Venezuela.
The Athletic reported in October that Canada Soccer were in discussions to bring Jones to Canada’s men’s national team. TSN’s Matthew Scianetti first reported that Jones’ spot in the November roster was confirmed.
Marsch has targeted Jones since he was hired in 2024. Canada’s coach sees Jones as a strong fit for his style of play, and there is a belief that Jones’ physicality, aggressive style and 6-foot-3 frame can strengthen Canada’s back line. Marsch also sees quality in Jones’ ability to play the ball out of the back. Crucially, Jones has started all 13 of Middlesbrough’s matches in the Championship this season and has played nearly every minute as well. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Marsch has placed a premium on players logging heavy minutes for their club sides.
Middlesbrough currently sits second in the Championship, with a strong likelihood of being locked in a promotion race to join the Premier League ahead of the World Cup.
With Moïse Bombito, Canada’s leading center back, injured and not available for the November camp, it is possible Jones starts one of Canada’s games. Marsch will want to see how he can be relied upon against difficult South American opponents as the deadline to name his World Cup roster inches closer.
Jones’ style and makeup differs from that of Canada’s top three center backs, and should he find his footing with the national team, his addition would change the outlook of Canada’s World Cup roster.
Marsch has recently narrowed his depth chart. Up-and-comer Jamie Knight-Lebel has impressed in Canada training sessions but did not receive an invite to Canada’s October camp. The addition of Jones would figure to further knock Knight-Lebel out of World Cup contention – at least for the time being.
Derek Cornelius remains one of Marsch’s most trusted players. His position as starter should not be in doubt, and his ability on set pieces as well as his emerging voice as a leader makes him valuable. Cornelius was especially reliable and effective against a testy Colombia side in Canada’s recent 0-0 draw.
Luc de Fougerolles has quickly shot up the pecking order. Despite being just 20, he also feels like close to a World Cup roster lock. There is a feeling from inside Canada Soccer that they only might just be scratching the surface with De Fougerolles’ ascent, and that come next summer, he could continue to be a revelation.
Given Jones’ profile and his experience, it will become increasingly fascinating to see whom Marsch relies upon between him and Kamal Miller and Joel Waterman in the November window. Waterman started for Canada against Australia in a 1-0 loss in October. Miller was a starter during the 2022 World Cup but has appeared in just two of Canada’s last 12 matches.
Sources also indicated that Canada has been in recent conversations with another dual-national: Marcelo Flores.
Those conversations were centered on the 22-year-old midfielder possibly joining Canada’s Canada’s November camp as a training player. Recently, the likelihood of Flores coming to November camp has decreased, and as of Monday, Flores joining Canada remained a possibility but had not been confirmed.
Canada’s efforts to recruit the Canadian-born Tigres attacking player stem back to previous head coach John Herdman. In May 2022, Flores formally announced his decision to play for Mexico. Flores, a former Arsenal youth product, last played for Mexico’s senior national team in a June 2022 Concacaf Nations League match. He has only made three appearances in total for Mexico, and because he made no more than three appearances for Mexico before the age of 21, he would still technically be eligible to apply for a one-time switch to Canada under FIFA regulations.
During Canada’s last international window, Marsch’s side appeared in need of more creativity in the midfield to help break through teams sitting in low blocks. Whether that help comes in the need of Flores remains to be seen.
Canada’s November roster is expected to be announced later this week.
