Cyle Larin Benched for Canada’s World Cup Opener Amid Fresh Questions Over His International Form

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Attacking Football

·12 June 2026

Cyle Larin Benched for Canada’s World Cup Opener Amid Fresh Questions Over His International Form

Cyle Larin starts Canada’s World Cup campaign on the bench against Bosnia, with questions continuing to surround his role in Jesse Marsch’s side despite an impressive club season with Southampton.

AFTN managing editor Michael McColl, a Canadian journalist who has covered the national team for more than a decade, spoke to Attacking Football, emphasising Larin’s struggles appear to stem from both tactical and individual factors.

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“He’s been asked to lead the line for Canada with Jonathan David, usually ahead of him, with him tucked behind in a false nine,” McColl said. “The problem has been he simply hasn’t been able to transfer club form to international level. As to why is something of a mystery.”

McColl noted that many supporters were ready to move on from Larin as a starter before his strong Southampton form earned him “another chance” with the national team.

“He hasn’t looked good in the recent friendlies and has dropped to the bench for the World Cup opener against Bosnia,” McColl added. “Tactically, Canada play a lot with fast wingers, and it feels Larin just doesn’t get himself in the positions to get onto their crosses and score, while David and others do. I think perhaps a more robust, through-the-middle style of play may be better suited for him.”

The partnership between Larin and Juventus striker Jonathan David has also failed to convince.

“It might simply be the case that Larin and David just don’t gel together,” McColl said. “David gets into goalscoring opportunities that you’d expect the primary striker to get into rather than the secondary one. Whether that’s just Larin not making those runs, it’s hard to say. “But he looks a far less dangerous player for Canada than [for] Southampton and at other clubs.”

Despite losing his place in the starting XI, McColl believes Larin still has an important role to play during the tournament.

“He’s definitely a good option to come off the bench. His experience and proven goal-scoring experience will be crucial in the latter end of Canada’s World Cup games,” he said. “I think his starting days are mostly over after this tournament at international level. Then, depending on his club form, he may drop out of the pecking order altogether, as there’s a bunch of young guys coming through.”

Whether Larin can force his way back into Marsch’s starting XI again remains to be seen. But with Canada opening their World Cup campaign and younger attacking options pushing for opportunities, the tournament ahead is likely to prove a defining moment in the next phase of his international career.