Maxime Crepeau will be Canada’s starting goalkeeper at the FIFA World Cup.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch announced the decision at a press conference Thursday, handing Crepeau the No. 1 job after a months-long battle with Dayne St. Clair.
“It’s something that I’m very proud of,” Crepeau said. “I don’t take anything for granted when I put the jersey on, so it’s a moment that I can be extra proud.
“We knew since the first moment … it’s gonna be a hell of a competition, and it’s been down to the wire, guys,” he added of his competition with St. Clair. “We’re very close and we are here for one another in that moment, and I cannot say (enough) amazing words about Dayne and his personality.”
Marsch called the selection -- one he had hoped to settle months ago -- the “hardest decision I’ve had to make in my coaching career.”
“Both of these men, Dayne and Max, gave everything from the first day I came here,” he said. “Performed at every moment that they were asked to play for the national team, have committed to each other to support each other and push each other in the entire process, and I trust and believe in both of them 100 per cent.
“I’m very happy for Max, but obviously my heart in the moment also goes with Dayne.”
A longtime member of the men’s national team, Crepeau missed the 2022 World Cup with a broken leg suffered 18 days before Canada’s opening match against Belgium.
“There’s some moments that can push you to difficult places mentally, physically,” said Crepeau, recalling how he watched Canada play in Qatar from his couch with a cast on. “But what I’m proud of is that I was always able to come back from moments, whether good or bad. I was able to see what’s next, what’s in front of me, to work hard to achieve and tick all the boxes.
“That’s something that I’m most proud of is probably the process, the day by day, the grind and how to react to certain situations, highs and lows.”
The 32-year-old from Candiac, Que., plays for Orlando City in Major League Soccer and came up through CF Montreal’s academy, marking a full-circle moment with Thursday’s announcement taking place metres away from the MLS club’s pitch.
Crepeau has recorded 12 clean sheets in 31 appearances for the senior national team.
St. Clair has 20 appearances and 10 clean sheets for Canada. The 29-year-old from Pickering, Ont., joined Inter Miami this season after winning MLS goalkeeper of the year with Minnesota United in 2025.
Canada plays its final exhibition match before the global showcase on Friday against Ireland at Montreal’s Saputo Stadium.
The tournament co-hosts open the World Cup against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto before heading to Vancouver for group-stage matches against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2026.
Daniel Rainbird
