Canada’s youngest may start World Cup opener, but is Luc de Fougerolles ready? | OneFootball

Canada could hand 20-year-old centre-back Luc de Fougerolles a start in their World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June, with Moise Bombito still short of full sharpness.

Bombito again lacked his usual power in Tuesday’s training, struggling on tight turns despite pushing to play, and a decision looms. Across Canada’s final two warm-ups, De Fougerolles replaced him as the only change to Jesse Marsch’s XI.

A Fulham academy graduate, De Fougerolles was little known in Canada less than three years ago and only completed his first full professional season on loan at FCV Dender EH. “Luc is a really smart player… He’ll be ready when called upon,” Marsch said.

Marsch could instead pick MLS veteran Joel Waterman, part of the 2022 World Cup squad, or the composed Alfie Jones, back in full training after an ankle injury. Even so, his recent selections and belief in youthful fearlessness suggest De Fougerolles may start.

Marsch fast-tracked him at 18 for the 2024 Copa America third-place match against Uruguay, where mistakes surfaced. In October against Australia he let a soft cross run that ended in a goal, and he hit the bar with Canada’s seventh penalty in the 2025 Gold Cup quarter-final. He has kept coming back, his game and confidence undimmed.

Team-mates describe a fearless defender who relishes contact, and Liam Millar says every game is making him better. Nathan Saliba views him as the squad’s little brother, upbeat but serious when it matters.

“I can never say I’m going to save myself. If I’m playing, I’m 100% playing, regardless of what’s coming up next,” De Fougerolles said, speaking to The Athletic.

Source: NY Times