Canada midfielder Stephen Eustáquio developed a blood clot while rehabbing his leg injury, head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed to TSN’s Matthew Scianitti.
Jesse Marsch confirms Stephen Eustaquio picked up a blood clot in his leg during a treatment session with LAFC. Marsch expects him out 2-4 weeks @TSN_Sports @TSNSoccer
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) March 19, 2026
As a result, the LAFC star will miss camp with the Canadian men’s national team and the upcoming pair of international friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia and is expected to miss two to four weeks.
He sustained the initial injury in a collision with referee Drew Fischer in a match against FC Dallas on March 7.
Canada will enter the penultimate international window before the World Cup without captain Alphonso Davies, and vice-captain Eustaquio. Jonathan David or Richie Laryea will likely take the armband in their absence.
Davies will miss the window due to a muscle tear he sustained in his right thigh earlier this month. There is no timeline for his return.
Canada announced the 26-player roster for the upcoming friendlies earlier on Thursday.
The 29-year-old has one goal and two assists over three games this season, his first in Los Angeles after a five-year run with Porto in the Primeira Liga, the highest level of Portuguese soccer.
Eustáquio has made 54 career appearances for Canada since 2019, scoring four times.
The Canadian men’s national team has dealt with numerous significant injuries over the past few weeks as the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now less than 90 days away.
Striker Promise David, 24, is hopeful to play in this summer’s World Cup after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his hip earlier this month.
Defender Luc de Fougerolles, who plays for FC Dender in Belgium, partially tore a ligament in his ankle in a game last weekend but was named to the most recent 26-player roster.
Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius and Alistair Johnston all remained sidelined with significant hamstring injuries but were named to the roster.
Canada opens the FIFA World Cup at BMO Field in Toronto against an opponent that has yet to be determined. They’ll then take on Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 at Vancouver’s BC Place to close their Group B schedule.
