Overview
- Canada coach Jesse Marsch acknowledged he misjudged eligibility and confirmed Marcelo Flores will not face Guatemala on January 17.
- Under FIFA regulations, a player registered with another federation can only take part in closed-door friendlies until a one-time switch is approved.
- Flores, 22 and born in Ontario, qualifies to request the change because he has only limited senior appearances for Mexico before turning 21.
- He has not filed the switch, leaving a permanent national-team choice to the player and his family as 2026 World Cup preparations proceed.
- Canada’s push followed Flores’ two-goal debut for Tigres in the Clausura 2026, with club voices signaling support for his World Cup ambitions.