Canada to face Tunisia on Tuesday after learning first World Cup opponent

Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch walks past his players before a friendly against Iceland in Toronto on Saturday, March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO — Tani Oluwaseyi wants to stake his claim atop Canada’s formation for the World Cup.

The big striker with a solid understanding of star attacker Jonathan David is set to get an opportunity when he takes the pitch Tuesday evening.

And by the time the men’s national soccer team crosses BMO Field’s white lines, one of the tournament co-hosts will also finally know its first opponent at the global showcase.

Canada is preparing to meet Tunisia in the second of two friendlies during the March international window, but attention across the country for many observers will be squarely on an afternoon European playoff match between No. 12 Italy and No. 66 Bosnia and Herzegovina to settle the final spot in Group B at the World Cup.

The winner will face the Canadians, currently ranked No. 30 by FIFA, in Toronto on June 12 in the opening match for both teams.

Jesse Marsch, Canada’s American-born head coach, is keenly aware of the complicated allegiances for many fans in his adopted country — especially if the Italians advance.

“Looking ahead to the World Cup, I want to start instituting what I think I want to call a ‘red out,’” Marsch said Monday. “I want to see our fans all in red in the whole stadium.”

After its curtain-raising encounter in just over 70 days, Canada will then travel to Vancouver to play Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 at B.C. Place Stadium.

“We need every stadium to be packed with red,” continued Marsch, before adding with a grin: “If it’s Italy, man, then we should be ripping all those blue jerseys and burning them … and we should be wearing red, right?

“It should be a ‘red out’ even if we play Italy.”

Before that, Canada will be looking for a solid performance against Tunisia, which is heading to the World Cup in Group F and is currently ranked No. 44 ahead of a tournament being shared with the United States and Mexico.

“Everything we do now is in preparation for the World Cup and the teams we’re going to face,” Oluwaseyi said. “They’re a good team. They play really well, they move the ball well, and they’re also really physical. It’s a good challenge for us, and just another step that, after the game, we’ll learn from and it’ll just help us grow leading into the World Cup.”

The 25-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., is expected to line up alongside David after watching Canada’s 2-2 draw with Iceland from the bench Saturday.

With seven goals in 33 appearances in 2025-26 across all competitions for Villareal in Spain’s La Liga, Oluwaseyi looks to cement his place up top after Cyle Larin got the start over the weekend.

He said he’s developed good chemistry with David.

“We talk about how smart of a player Jonny is,” said the six-foot-two Oluwaseyi, who was born in Nigeria before moving to Canada at age 10. “I know the spots he wants to take up, I know what he wants to do when he turns with the ball or if he’s rolling out, what his next options are.”

David scored twice from the penalty spot Saturday against Iceland in the second half after the home side gifted the visitors a couple early goals.

“I just try and make life easier for him, because that’s a hard job,” Oluwaseyi added of the Juventus striker. “He’s focused on both defensively pressing with me, and then offensively making things happen for our team. It’s just a relationship that over the games we’ve played together, that we’ve built.

“It’s served us pretty well.”

Marsch didn’t reveal his entire starting lineup, but did say Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ralph Priso will earn a second cap.

“Ralph has had a good camp,” Marsch said. “Still integrating into exactly what the centre back position is, and then what our demands for the centre back position are.”

Maxime Crépeau is poised to start in goal, while Liam Millar will get the call on the right side of midfield after Tajon Buchanan was shown a red card Saturday.

Canada should also get a boost in the centre of the park with the return of Ismaël Koné from suspension.

“The biggest thing he brings for us is his unpredictability,” Oluwaseyi said of the midfielder for Sassuolo in Italy’s Serie A. “In hard moments in games, we know that we can trust in Ismaël to make something happen.”

That’s what all of Canada’s talent will be hoping for this summer with just two June friendlies to go after Tuesday.

“This generation of players will inspire a new generation,” Marsch said. “We all know we’re at a point in the sport — in the country — that’s incredibly important. We know how focused we need to be and exactly what we need to be lasered on.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2026

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press