Canada's 2026 FIFA World Cup Roster Features Strong MLS Representation Canada’s 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, includes a significant number of players with ties to Major League Soccer (MLS). The team’s roster features 18 players who are either current MLS members or homegrown products developed within the league, accounting for 69% of the squad. This high representation underscores the growing influence of MLS in shaping Canada’s national team for the expanded tournament, which will feature 48 teams instead of the usual 32. The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage, alongside the top eight third-place finishers. Among the standout MLS alumni is Ahmed, who made his mark with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2022 before joining Norwich City in the EFL Championship. His performances, including a pivotal role in Vancouver’s 2025 season that saw the club reach the Concacaf Champions Cup final and MLS Cup, earned him a transfer to England. Similarly, Bombito, a former MLS SuperDraft pick with the Colorado Rapids, rose to prominence with his athleticism and defensive skills, leading to a record-breaking $10.7 million transfer to OGC Nice in 2024. Buchanan, another key player, began his career with New England Revolution, where he was a SuperDraft selection. His breakout 2021 season, which included MLS Best XI honors and the Supporters’ Shield, paved the way for a move to Club Brugge in Belgium, followed by stints at Inter Milan and Villarreal. Cornelius, who spent two-and-a-half seasons with Vancouver, remains with Marseille in Ligue 1 while on loan at Rangers.#united_states #canada #major_league_soccer #mexico #fifa_world_cup
Los Angeles Galaxy Honors Cobi Jones with Monumental Statue at Dignity Health Sports Park On Sunday, the Los Angeles Galaxy celebrated the legacy of one of its most iconic players with the unveiling of a 9-foot-tall bronze statue of Cobi Jones outside Dignity Health Sports Park. The ceremony took place ahead of the team’s matchup against Real Salt Lake, with Jones joining fans, former teammates, and artists Oscar Leon and Omri Amrany to mark the occasion. The statue joins two others dedicated to Landon Donovan and David Beckham, symbolizing the team’s golden era. Jones, a former Galaxy midfielder who played for the club from 1996 to 2007, made 334 appearances and scored 70 goals during his tenure. His contributions were pivotal in guiding the team to two MLS Cup championships in 2002 and 2005. Speaking at the event, Jones reflected on his career and the significance of Los Angeles in the growth of soccer in the United States. “We showed the world that Los Angeles—and the LA Galaxy—is a soccer hotbed. This is the place where soccer can grow and thrive within the United States, and in my humble opinion, the LA Galaxy is the pinnacle of MLS,” he said. Born in Detroit but raised in Los Angeles, Jones graduated from Westlake High School before attending UCLA, where he played for the men’s soccer team. His international career included stints with the U.S. national team, participating in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1998 and earned a five-time MLS All-Star designation. In 2002, he helped the U.S. secure a CONCACAF Gold Cup title, further cementing his status as a national icon. After retiring in 2007, Jones remained connected to the Galaxy, coaching the team for two seasons before transitioning to other ventures.#major_league_soccer #dignity_health_sports_park #los_angeles_galaxy #angel_city_fc #cobi_jones
Lauren Daigle’s Music Box Launches as Limited-Time SiriusXM Channel Grammy- and GMA Dove Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle is celebrating her 10th anniversary in music with the debut of her own limited-run SiriusXM channel, titled Lauren Daigle’s Music Box. The channel will be available in vehicles on SiriusXM channel 79 from March 30 to April 5 and accessible via the SiriusXM app from March 30 to April 27. The pop-up channel offers a curated mix of Daigle’s discography, featuring exclusive performances, interviews, and songs from artists who have influenced her career. It highlights key moments from her award-winning journey, providing listeners with an intimate look at her personal playlist. The channel blends a wide range of genres, including Contemporary Christian Music, ’90s and 2000s Pop/Rock, Classic Country, Classic Soul/Motown, Classic Pop/Rock, Zydeco, Blues, and Cajun music, reflecting her Louisiana roots. To mark the launch, Daigle is releasing a full-band live performance and interview recorded at SiriusXM’s Nashville studios. The special will premiere on her channel on March 30 at 12 p.m. ET and will be simulcast on SiriusXM’s The Message (Channel 65) from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on the same day. The performance will also air on The Message at 12 p.m. ET. Daigle is inviting fans to engage by submitting voice memos via a dedicated link. Listeners can share song requests, words of encouragement, questions, concert memories, or any other thoughts, with the possibility of hearing their contributions on the channel. The channel’s launch coincides with other SiriusXM programming, including exclusive channels from artists like John Summit and Robyn, as well as live broadcasts of sports events such as Major League Soccer and MLB Opening Day games.#major_league_soccer #lauren_daigle #siriusxm #music_box #nashville_studios
Former Crew players Yaw Yeboah, Derrick Jones given lifetime MLS bans for sports gambling Former Columbus Crew players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah have been banned for life from Major League Soccer (MLS) for engaging in sports betting, the league announced. The decision followed an investigation that found both players had placed "extensive" bets on soccer matches, including wagers on their own teams, during 2024 and 2025. The players were placed on administrative leave by MLS in October for potential rule violations, though the specifics of the allegations were not disclosed at the time. The league stated that one of the key incidents involved Jones and Yeboah betting on Jones receiving a yellow card during the Crew’s game against the New York Red Bulls on October 19, 2024. Jones was indeed shown a yellow card in the 34th minute for a foul on Daniel Edelman of New York. The investigation revealed that the players had placed multiple bets on games, including matches involving their own club, which violates MLS policies on sports gambling. A statement from the Columbus Crew emphasized its commitment to upholding integrity and respect in the sport. The club condemned the actions of the players, calling them a violation of the values that define the organization and the league. "We fully condemn all actions and notions that aren’t aligned with these critical values," the statement said. The Crew also noted that they had cooperated fully with the league’s investigation but deferred all comments on the findings and disciplinary actions to MLS. Jones, who played for the Crew from 2022 to 2024, became a free agent after his contract expired and later joined Los Angeles FC. During the 2023 MLS Cup final, Yeboah scored the decisive goal in the 37th minute of the Crew’s 2-1 victory over LAFC.#major_league_soccer #derrick_jones #yaw_yeboah #columbus_crew #los_angeles_fc
Major League Soccer bans two former players for 'extensive gambling' on matches Major League Soccer has indefinitely suspended former players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah for engaging in widespread gambling on matches, the league announced Monday. The decision follows an investigation that revealed the players bet on their own games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including placing wagers on specific outcomes such as Jones receiving a yellow card during an October 2024 match. The league confirmed that Jones, 29, and Yeboah, 28, were placed on administrative leave in October 2025 after receiving suspicious betting alerts from partners. Jones, who last played for the Columbus Crew in 2024 and 2025, appeared in 23 games during that period. Yeboah, a former Crew teammate, joined Los Angeles FC in 2025. The investigation found that the pair likely shared insider information with other bettors, further violating league policies. MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the league’s commitment to maintaining match integrity, stating that it will continue enforcing its betting rules and advocating for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states. The Crew issued a statement condemning the players’ actions, noting their strict adherence to MLS policies on sports gambling. The club confirmed full cooperation with the league’s investigation. This marks another instance of MLS taking disciplinary action against players for gambling violations, following the suspension of Sporting Kansas City’s Felipe Hernandez in 2021 and his subsequent contract termination in 2024 for repeated policy breaches. Gambling, particularly prop bets, has become a growing concern for North American sports leagues amid the legalization of sports betting.#major_league_soccer #derrick_jones #yaw_yeboah #don_garber #columbus_crew
