VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder/defender Ali Ahmed has been named to Canada’s men's national team's final roster for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
This marks the first time Ahmed has been called up to represent Canada at any level.
The 22-year-old will join up with the national team on Friday, June 23 ahead of the side's opening group stage match on Tuesday, June 27 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario against the winner between Guadeloupe and Guyana in the Preliminary Round.
The group will then face Guatemala in their second group stage match on Saturday, July 1 at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. PT.
Canada will play their third and final group stage match against Cuba on Tuesday, July 4, with the match also set to take place at Shell Energy Stadium. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. PT.
Ahmed will miss the 'Caps away matches against Los Angeles FC on Saturday, June 24 and against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, July 1. Depending on Canada’s progression in the tournament, Ahmed could potentially miss additional matches.
Ahmed, who has been deployed as a central midfielder and fullback this season, has started nine of his 14 appearances across all competitions for Whitecaps FC this season, recording two goals and one assist after becoming the first Whitecaps FC 2 MLS NEXT Pro player to sign with the club’s first team last November. During his time with the second team, Ahmed recorded a team-high five assists as he started 14 of his 15 appearances and was also named the 2022 Whitecaps FC 2 Player of the Year.
Canada roster
GK- Milan Borjan | SRB / FK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)
GK- Tom McGill | ENG Â / Brighton & Hove Albion FC
GK- Dayne St. Clair | USA / Minnesota United FC
CB- Moïse Bombito | USA / Colorado Rapids
CB- Scott Kennedy | GER / SSV Jahn Regensburg
CB- Zachary Mcgraw | USA / Portland Timbers
CB- Steven Vitória | POR / GD Chaves
CB- Dominick Zator | POL / Korona Kielce
FB- Samuel Adekugbe | TUR / Hatayspor FC
FB- Zachary Brault-Guillard | CAN / CF Montréal
FB- Richie Laryea | CAN / Toronto FC
FB- Kamal Miller | USA Â / Inter Miami CF
M- Ali Ahmed | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Stephen Eustáquio | POR / FC Porto
M- David Junior Hoilett | ENG / Reading FC
M- Victor Loturi | SCO / Ross County FC
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- David Wotherspoon | SCO / St. Johnstone FC
F- Charles-Andreas Brym | NED / FC Eindhoven
F- Lucas Cavallini | MEX / Club Tijuana
F- Liam Millar | SUI / FC Basel
F- Jacen Russell-Rowe | CAN / Columbus Crew
F- Jacob Shaffelburg | USA / Nashville SC
