Mexico loses ground to Canada: Who has more players in Europe?

Mexico and Canada face off in the CONCACAF Nations League, and both teams show notable differences in the presence of players in Europe. While the Canadians have managed to position 16 players in Europe's top leagues, reflecting a significant expansion of their talent in the 'Old Continent', Mexico lags behind with only 9 called up in the most competitive leagues.

Canada, with standout figures like Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) and Jonathan David (LOSC Lille), boasts several players in renowned leagues, including names like Cyle Larin (Mallorca) and Stephen Eustáquio (Porto), as well as other players in the leagues of Belgium, Switzerland, and Scotland. In contrast, Mexico has fewer representatives in Europe's most competitive leagues: only Raúl Jiménez (Fulham) and Edson Álvarez (West Ham) play in the Premier League, while Santiago Giménez (Milan) and Johan Vásquez (Genoa) are the only Mexicans in Italy.

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This difference is reflected in the level of experience and competitiveness of each team, which could be key in their semifinal clash, set to be played next Thursday, March 20, at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Canada's call-ups

• Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Portland Timbers), Tom McGill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC)
• Defenders: Moïse Bombito (OGC Nice), Derek Cornelius (Olympique de Marseille), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alistair Johnston (Celtic FC), Jamie Knight-Lebel (Crewe Alexandra), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Joel Waterman (CF Montréal)
• Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal CF), Mathieu Choinière (Grasshopper Zurich), Stephen Eustáquio (FC Porto), Ismaël Koné (Stade Rennais), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC), Niko Sigur (Hadjuk Split)
• Forwards: Jonathan David (LOSC Lille), Promise David (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Daniel Jebbison (AFC Bournemouth), Cyle Larin (RCD Mallorca), Tani Oluwaseyi (Minnesota United FC)

Mexico's call-ups

• Goalkeepers: Ángel Malagón (Club América), Raúl Rangel (Chivas), Carlos Moreno (CF Pachuca)
• Defenders: Rodrigo Huescas (FC Copenhage), Israel Reyes (Club América), Ramón Juárez (Club América), César Montes (FC Lokomotiv), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Jesús Angulo (Tigres), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)
• Midfielders: Edson Álvarez (West Ham United), Luis Chávez (FC Dynamo Moscow), Luis Romo (Chivas), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens)
• Forwards: Santiago Giménez (AC Milan), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham), Julián Quiñones (Al Qadsiah), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), César Huerta (RSC Anderlecht), Efraín Álvarez (Tijuana)