Canada vs. Honduras starting lineups, team news, score prediction: Marsch suspended for Gold Cup opener

Canada begin their 2025 Gold Cup journey in earnest as they open group stage action with a match against Honduras from Toronto on Tuesday.

Les Rouges are the only CONCACAF nation not named USA or Mexico to win this competition since its revival in 1991, but they have not performed well since that lone title 25 years ago. They have reached the semifinals only three times since, the last of which came in 2021.

While Canada have raised their international profile significantly in recent years, including qualification to the World Cup in 2022 for the first time in over 20 years.

However, they have yet to get over the hump and snatch CONCACAF silverware from the U.S. or Mexico, falling to El Tri in the Nations League final in March. As American head coach Jesse Marsch continues to needle U.S. Soccer with verbal barbs, Les Rouges have pressure to back up his aggressive approach.

Their first test is 75th-ranked Honduras, who have hung around the second echelon of CONCACAF nations alongside Jamaica, Panama, and Costa Rica.

The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.

Canada vs. Honduras lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

Jesse March rotated heavily across Canada's two pre-tournament friendlies against Ukraine and Ivory Coast, but the former saw the team perform much better as it featured most of their regular starters. For that reason, their XI against Honduras to begin the Gold Cup is likely to reflect that lineup more closely than that of the subsequent scoreless draw against the African side.

Notably, Jesse Marsch himself will not be on the touchline, as he is suspended from an incident against the United States back in March that saw him sent off in the middle of the match. They will, however, have Alistair Johnston back after the Celtic defender missed the friendlies to enjoy his wedding.

Not with the team is Alphonso Davies, who tore his ACL back in mid-March and will be out of action for considerable time. Also missing is injured defender Moise Bombito who has been given the summer off with his club Nice starting next season a bit early thanks to Champions League qualifying.

There are two big calls for Marsch to make before the match. In goal, he has flip-flopped back and forth between Maxime Crepeau and Dayne St. Clair, and he must choose whether to reward young Luc de Fougerolles for his impressive performance against Ukraine or return to the more experienced Joel Waterman at the back.

Canada predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): St. Clair (GK) — Sigur, Cornelius, de Fougerolles, Bassong — Buchanan, Kone, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg — J. David, Larin.

Injured: Davies (ACL), Bombito (shoulder/fitness).
Suspended: Marsch (red card).

Full Canada squad

Goalkeepers: Dayne St. Clair, Maxime Crepeau

Defenders: Sam Adekugbe, Zorhan Bassong, Derek Cornelius, Luc de Fougerolles, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Richie Laryea, Joel Waterman

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed, Tajon Buchanan, Mathieu Choiniere, Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, Nathan Saliba, Niko Sigur, Jacob Shaffelburg

Forwards: Jonathan David, Promise David, Daniel Jebbison, Cyle Larin, Jayden Nelson, Tani Oluwaseyi.

Honduras have most of their veteran international stars with them for the 2025 Gold Cup, including goalkeeper Luis Lopez, midfielder Alexander Lopez, forward Romell Quioto, and captain Anthony Lozano, all of whom have over 50 international caps.

However, they saw winger Rigoberto Rivas withdraw from the squad due to a muscle injury, replaced by Dixon Ramirez.

Head coach Reinaldo Rueda will have to decide between deploying Olimpia No. 10 Jorge Alvarez in the attack, likely at the expense of Lozano, or to move Romell Quioto into the middle and bring on Luis Palma out wide.

Honduras predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Menjivar (GK) — Najar, Montes, Palma, J. Martinez — Flores, Arriaga — Rosales, Quioto, Lozano — A. Lopez.

Injured: Rivas (muscle).
Suspended: None.

Full Honduras squad

Goalkeepers: Marlon Licona, Luis Lopez, Edrick Menjivar.

Defenders: Raul Garcia, Denil Maldonado, Julian Martinez, Christopher Melendez, Getsel Montes, Joseph Rosales, Luis Santamaria, Luis Vega.

Midfielders: Jorge Alvarez, Kervin Arriaga, Deiby Flores, Alexander Lopez, Carlos Mejia, Carlos Pineda, Edwin Rodriguez.

Forwards: Yustin Arboleda, Jorge Benguche, Anthony Lozano, Luis Palma, Jose Pinto, Romell Quioto, Dixon Ramirez, Alexy Vega.

Canada vs. Honduras score prediction

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Prediction: Canada 1-0 Honduras

Canada vs. Honduras live stream, TV channel

• TV channel (USA): 
  • English: FS1
  • Spanish: UniMas, TUDN
• Streaming (USA): Fubo
• TV channel (Canada):
  • English: OneSoccer, TSN1, TSN3, TSN4
  • French: RDS
• Streaming (Canada): Fubo

This CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage match will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast on UniMas and TUDN. All channels are available to stream on Fubo, who offer a free trial with new users.

In Canada, the match will be televised in English by both OneSoccer and TSN, with a French broadcast available on RDS. Like in the US, those options are both available to stream on Fubo Canada.