The crucial tournament serves as qualifiers for the 2027 U-20 World Cup, as well as the 2028 Olympic Games.
Fotsing also wore the captain’s armband for Canada during the match, a strong statement as to how much Marsch rates the young midfielder.
Joining Vancouver FC at the start of the 2025 season from the CF Montréal academy, Fotsing has made 31 league appearances for the Eagles, scoring four times. An imposing midfielder with great technical ability and reading of the game, he is showing great growth in his second professional season — and now dominating that against his peers.
Forge FC’s Zayne Bruno also started the match for Canada, while Fotsing’s Vancouver FC teammate, Marsel Bibishkov, came off the bench.
Inter Toronto star Shola Jimoh had also been named to Canada’s squad for the competition, but it was announced on Sunday that he was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Next up for Canada is a meeting with Honduras on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT). They round out group action on August 1 against Jamaica. The knockout rounds, should Canada qualify, begin on August 4 with the quarterfinals.