Joel Waterman has been called up to Canada’s World Cup squad, becoming the third and final Chicago Fire player summoned for 2026’s marquee event.
The 30-year-old center back, who is now a backup for both club and country, is going to his second World Cup. He did not feature at Qatar 2022, but sat on the bench for all three of Canada’s matches as they were eliminated in the group stage.
Recently, Waterman has been a regular call-up under Jesse Marsch. Former Fire midfielder Marsch in entering his second major tournament as Canada boss after remarkably guiding the Canucks to a shock Copa América semifinal in 2024. Waterman did start both March friendlies against Tunisia and Iceland, as well as a 1-0 friendly loss to Australia in October.
Waterman is the third Fire player called up to this World Cup. He joins Chris Brady (who will be the USMNT’s third-string goalkeeper) and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (who will be a starting center back for South Africa). With three players at the tournament, it’s the most the Fire have ever had at a single World Cup in club history. Previous call-ups include Jorge Campos (Mexico), DaMarcus Beasley (USA), Josh Wolff (USA), and Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland).
Canada are hosting 10 games in the tournament, and it is the first time the nation has even been part of hosting a men’s World Cup. They will open Group B against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto on June 12th. They will also face Qatar and Switzerland in the group, both in Vancouver, seeking their first win (and point) in World Cup history. Prior to that, they will also play two friendlies, including one against Ireland at Waterman’s former home stadium in Montréal.
