Surrey\u2019s Badwal ready to play for Canada at FIFA World Cup, if call comes<\/p>\n
Published 11:30 am Monday, June 8, 2026<\/p>\n
A lot of dominoes would have to fall his way but Jeevan Badwal could still play for Canada at the FIFA World Cup men\u2019s soccer tournament starting Thursday, June 11.<\/p>\n
The Surrey-raised midfielder is among Vancouver Whitecaps FC players eligible to suit up as injury replacement, along with Sam Adekugbe and Ralph Priso.<\/p>\n
National team head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed his 26-man roster May 29, two weeks ahead of Canada\u2019s first match Friday, June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously it would have been great to be part of the team, and that\u2019s still my goal of mine,\u201d Badwal said from his family home in Newton.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got an email saying I\u2019m part of the wider squad, the 55-man roster, and that anything could happen, I have to be on standby,\u201d Badwal added. \u201cI\u2019m local here, so I\u2019m ready, and it would be a cool experience. Like I said, anything could happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the sideline for now, Badwal says he\u2019ll stay fit and also stay close to home for a youth soccer camp he\u2019ll attend in Newton<\/a> on Wednesday (June 10) and an appearance at the Surrey Soccer Fan Zone<\/a> at Civic Plaza on Friday (June 12), during Canada\u2019s first game at the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be there during the game to meet fans, sign some things,\u201d Badwal said of the Fan Zone event Friday, noon start time. \u201cIt will be pretty cool, a great way for people to watch the game, for the community to come out and watch Canada in the World Cup. I\u2019ll be watching whenever I can.\u201d<\/p>\n