Canada coach Jesse Marsch calls in Marcelo Flores, Alfie Jones for November camp

Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch reacts during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal soccer match against Mexico Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Canada coach Jesse Marsch has called Tigres winger Marcelo Flores and Middlesbrough centre back Alfie Jones into camp for the November international window.

The 22-year-old Flores, who was born in Georgetown, Ont., to a Canadian mother and Mexican father, has already represented Mexico at senior level. The winger is eligible for a one-time FIFA switch under the current regulations, introduced in 2021, which allow players who have played up to three senior international caps prior to the age of 21 to change allegiance.

Canada Soccer lists Flores as a training player for the November camp — meaning while he won’t play, he will get a taste of life with Canada.

The 28-year-old Jones, an English-born centre back who has Canadian ties through a grandparent, is in the process of finalizing his Canadian citizenship, according to Canada Soccer.

The 28th-ranked Canadian men close out their 2025 schedule against No. 23 Ecuador on Nov. 13 at Toronto’s BMO Field and No. 50 Venezuela on Nov. 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Flores has been on Canada’s radar for a while.

Former coach John Herdman tried to bring Flores, then a 17-year-old Mexican youth international, to a Canadian camp in Florida in January 2021, only to be frustrated by pandemic-related restrictions. Still hopeful, he included Flores in his preliminary 60-man roster for the 2021 Gold Cup, although nothing came if it.

But Flores opted for Mexico.

“Despite the ability to represent several countries, I have always been a part of the Mexican national team system,” Flores said in a May 2022 social media post. “It’s where I feel most comfortable.”

“Today I speak from the heart and feel the need to communicate something I’ve know to be true for a while that I think is important you heard directly from me,” he added. “I will represent Mexico wholeheartedly for the rest of my professional life.”

His declaration promoted a response on the Mexican team’s official Twitter (now X) feed.

“And Mexico will always welcome you. We’re delighted to continue this journey with you, Marcelo,” it said.

The five-foot-six, 132-pound attacker made his senior Mexico debut at 18 against Chile in December 2021 and now has three caps.

A young Flores spent time in England with Ipswich Town before joining the Arsenal academy in February 2019, signing his first pro contract in October 2020. Flores rose through the Gunners youth ranks and made the bench for Arsenal’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace in April 2022.

He had a 15-game loan spell at Real Oviedo in the Spanish second tier in the 2022-23 season, eventually leaving Arsenal for Mexico’s Tigres in September 2023.

Tigres currently sits fourth in Mexico’s Liga MX Apertura at 9-16. Flores has one goal in 149 minutes played.

In his 2022 social media post, Flores also spoke warmly of Canada.

“I was born and raised in Canada,” he wrote. “All my childhood memories are full of happy moments there with the ball at my feet. My mother is Canadian. She was the one that taught us to love Canadian culture. Canada is where I fell in love with soccer. I will always be connected with that beautiful country. Thank you, Canada.”

Flores’ sisters Silvana and Tatiana represented Mexico at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Jones joined Middlesbrough in July on a four-year contract from Hull City, which is home to Canadian international Liam Millar. Middlesbrough currently stands second in England’s second-tier Championship.

Born in Bristol, Jones is a graduate of the Southampton academy. The durable centre back had loan spells with Scotland’s St. Mirren and England’s Gillingham before joining Hull in the summer of 2020.

Marsch remains without several key players, including captain Alphonso Davies (knee) of Bayern Munich, OGC Nice centre back Moise Bombito (fractured leg), Celtic right back Alistair Johnston (hamstring) and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe (Achilles).

Winger Jacob Shaffelburg and defender Luc de Fougerolles are not part of the November roster.

The last time Canada faced Venezuela was in quarterfinal action at the 2024 Copa America with Canada winning a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The previous two meetings ended in draws in Venezuela — 1-1 in May 2010 in Merida and 2-2 in June 2007 in Maracaibo.

Venezuela failed to make next year’s World Cup, finishing seventh in South American qualifying at 4-8-6.

Canada’s lone previous meeting with Ecuador, also at BMO Field, ended in a 2-2 draw in June 2011 with substitute Tosaint Ricketts scoring the tying goal for Canada in stoppage time.

The Canadian men are 6-2-4 in 2025 with two of those draws turning into penalty shootout losses (against Ivory Coast and Guatemala).

Canada failed to score in the October window, playing No. 13 Colombia to a chippy scoreless draw in Harrison, N.J., after losing 1-0 to No. 25 Australia in Montreal.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2025.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press