“We named [Celebrini] captain before [Crosby] agreed to participate,” Treliving stated, via Toronto Sun. “When Sid came, he was adamant that Mack remain the captain. At the same time, Mack was adamant that Sid be the captain.“

In the end, it would appear Crosby had the final say in the matter. According to a report from Chris Johnston, it was a player-led decision to keep the ‘C’ on Celebrini’s jersey. However, things could’ve turned out differently had Crosby asked to wear the ‘C’ rather than an ‘A’.

Crosby’s role exceeds title

In more ways than one, that speaks to both Crosby’s selflessness and his impact on everyday decisions. One could say it’s proof that Crosby is, and forever will be, “Captain Canada.” As long as he is still playing, other stars may earn the title, but it may only be a formality.

Crosby is the leader everybody looks up to. And that doesn’t take anything away from Celebrini—or any other player on Canada‘s roster—and their importance. “Sid the Kid” is simply a step above. Scoring the golden goal in 2010 is only the tip of the iceberg.

Canada’s hot start in Worlds

With 5-3 and 6-0 victories over Sweden and Italy, respectively, Canada got off to a great start in Group B of the 2026 IIHF World Championship. So far, Crosby has an assist (on a goal by Celebrini) through the opening two games. Celebrini has three points with two goals and an assist.

Canada has five games left in group stage with matchups against Denmark (who knocked Crosby and Canada out in quarterfinals last year), Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Czechia.

“Macklin Celebrini will remain as captain for Canada at the IIHF World Hockey Championship, with Sidney Crosby wearing an ‘A’. That was decided after a player-led discussion,” Chris Johnston reported on his X account. “The players wanted Celebrini to keep the ‘C’.“

Although Crosby will always be considered Captain Canada, he will not lace up the skates forever. Moreover, this might be the sacrifice Canada needs to exorcise the ghosts of its past. The last time Crosby played for his national team without a ‘C’ on his sweater, good things happened. In fact, those were the golden days.

2010 Winter Olympics

The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver were the last major tournament in which Crosby played for his country in a non-captain role. Everybody knows how that story ended—especially Crosby, who scored the golden goal in overtime to lift Canada past Team USA and secure the national men’s team’s eighth gold medal in Winter Olympics history.

More than a decade and a half later—16 years, to be precise—Crosby will serve as an alternate captain while another player wears the ‘C’. Perhaps that is exactly what the Great White North needs to snap its championship drought—if it can even be called one. Canada’s last major title came at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. Or the 4 Nations Face-Off, depending on who you ask.

Passing of the torch in Canada

Everybody knew the day would arrive sooner or later. Perhaps Canadians did not expect it to happen in such a confusing—or possibly dramatic—fashion, but there may never be a perfect way to make it happen. One way or another, there has been a passing of the torch regardless.

Either way, for the first time since 2010, there will be a new captain on a Hockey Canada squad featuring Crosby, and it will be none other than Macklin Celebrini. Connor McDavid did captain the team in this year’s gold medal game against Team USA, but even he admitted he was simply keeping the ‘C’ warm for Crosby, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury. Thus, it is the 19-year-old from North Vancouver who has been handed the torch—not McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon.

Celebrini earned it

Coming off a 115-point season in just his sophomore NHL campaign and after establishing himself as one of the best players at the Olympics, Celebrini has proven he belongs at this level. Now, he will be tasked with leading a roster filled with veterans despite being the second-youngest player on the team. In fact, if not for Porter Martone’s late decision to join the squad, Celebrini would have been the youngest player on the roster.

The veterans will have to listen to the kid. It should not be too hard, especially considering they have been listening to “Sid the Kid” for the past decade and a half. Now, there is a new high-pitched voice in charge—one that already has 178 career points in just 152 NHL games.

Something to keep an eye on

“We’ll figure it out. No, [it doesn’t matter to me]. Obviously, it’s an honor anytime you get to wear the ‘C’, but we’ve got so many great leaders. It’ll be a quick discussion,” Crosby had said prior to the report in dialogue with TSN. “[Celebrini] has had an unbelievable year. He looks amazing out there. I can see why he got selected.”

As for Celebrini, his message signaled he didn’t wish to give up the ‘C’ so easily. “Everybody knows [Crosby] is Captain Canada. He’s been the captain for so many years and the face of Canada and hockey in general. Just got to talk about it,“ he commented.

Quoting Johnston’s report, “the players wanted Celebrini to keep the ‘C’.” However, that begs the question, what did Crosby say behind closed doors? Will this turn out to be a source of conflict inside the locker room? It seems unlikely considering Crosby has always been selfless and very supportive of Celebrini in the national team. All that matters for Crosby and company is walking away of Switzerland as the 2026 IIHF World Championship winners.

“[McKenna] and his agent decided it would be better for the top prospect to stay home and work on his goal of adding strength and mass over the offseason,” as reported by Tom Hunter on his X account. “Committing to playing in the World Championship is more than a month long process.“

The Toronto Maple Leafs own the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, and it seems like a given that they will select the 18-year-old out of Penn State. According to reports, the Maple Leafs have no worries about McKenna. The winger’s abilities and playmaking leave little room for doubt around the league.

McKenna’s size is reason for concern

If there is one asterisk—and perhaps the main reason behind the speculation surrounding his draft stock—it is his size. McKenna is listed at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, according to NHL.com. Barring an unprecedented growth spurt between now and June 26, McKenna will not be any taller by the time the Maple Leafs announce their pick at KeyBank Center. However, he can still get bigger and stronger.

That appears to be the goal, and one major reason why McKenna has not flown across the Atlantic to join Team Canada in Switzerland for the 2026 IIHF World Championship. If there is a silver lining for McKenna that should keep him confident about being selected first overall, it is the fact that his biggest competition, Ivar Stenberg, is not much bigger than he is. According to Elite Prospects, Stenberg is listed at 6-foot-0 and 181 pounds.

The two best prospects in this year’s class are undersized wingers, which leaves room for speculation. A 6-foot-2 center like Caleb Malhotra could give them a run for their money for the No. 1 spot, but for now, McKenna still appears to have the upper hand.

No McKenna vs Stenberg showdown

While stepping down from Team Canada’s roster for the World Championship may be the right decision for McKenna, fans across the globe would have loved to see him play alongside the likes of Crosby and Celebrini on a major international stage. Moreover, when Canada makes its debut against Sweden in Group B, everybody will wonder what could have been, as Stenberg will be on the ice while McKenna will not.

The top two prospects in the 2026 draft class could have headlined a showdown that likely would have been the first of many. Instead, Sweden’s top forward line—featuring Viggo Björck at center with Ivar Stenberg and Lucas Raymond on the wings—will have an average age of 20 years old. Meanwhile, it will go up against Canada’s top line of Sidney Crosby, Macklin Celebrini, and Mark Scheifele, whose average age is 30 and which combines for 2,846 NHL points.

It does not sound like a fair matchup, but it might be the perfect setting for Stenberg and Björck to send a message. Who knows? Maybe it shakes up draft projections.

“It’s not yet clear if Sidney Crosby’s decision to join Canada at the worlds will alter plans for Macklin Celebrini to wear the ‘C,’ but needless to say, there’s lots of excitement about his addition to the roster,” Chris Johnston wrote on his X account.

Either way, Celebrini will welcome Crosby, who took him under his wing during the 2026 Olympics, with open arms. The duo—like Hockey Canada as a whole—will be out for revenge after the heartbreaking defeat in the gold-medal game against Team USA in Milan, Italy.

Crosby may not want to strip Celebrini of the ‘C’

With Sid the Kid’s addition to the roster, Celebrini and Crosby may find themselves in a bidding battle in which each side is actually rooting for the other to be captain. It’s often believed that as long as Crosby is playing, no one has a stronger case to be ‘Captain Canada.’

However, knowing Crosby, it’s plausible he would push for Celebrini to captain the team. After all, Celebrini was already named captain, and demoting him to an alternate role may not be the best look for Canada—nor something Crosby would want to orchestrate sub rosa.

Potential resolution by Hockey Canada

As it stands, Canada has named Celebrini as captain with Ryan O’Reilly and John Tavares serving as alternates. Perhaps the most reasonable—and likely—outcome is for Canada to add a third alternate captain, allowing Crosby to wear a letter while also giving Celebrini valuable experience as the leader of the national team.

It’d make sense. After all, Crosby won’t play forever—though it often feels that way—and someday a new captain will have to be named. There may be no better candidate than the 19-year-old from North Vancouver, who has grown accustomed to shattering records left and right.

However, that same argument about Crosby eventually hanging up the skates could also be used to support his case. Because someday he will no longer represent Hockey Canada, it may be best to let him wear the ‘C’ whenever possible, because nobody knows which tournament will be his last.

Crosby replaces Barzal

Shortly after Team Canada announced Matthew Barzal would step down from the 2026 IIHF World Championship due to a minor pre-existing injury, Crosby’s addition was confirmed. Thus, Crosby’s call-up was an emergency one, as the Canadians lost a valuable member of the team ahead of the international tournament.

The Pittsburgh Penguins captain accepted the invitation after his NHL season was cut short by a first-round elimination at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers. For a born competitor like Crosby, there’s no better medicine for that kind of heartbreak than jumping right back into the action of another high-stakes competition with his country.

According to BILD, Davies is at the center of a growing dilemma as Bayern Munich weigh the player’s health against World Cup ambitions. “His latest injury is a muscle tear and actually requires a six-week rehab. However, clubs are obliged to release their players for the World Cup in three weeks. In Canada, there’s talk of only a 4-5 week break, meaning Davies could return just in time for the start of the tournament, which represents a huge risk,“ the report stated.

The situation has created a high-stakes standoff between Bayern and the Canadian Men’s National Team. While both sides want Davies on the pitch for the tournament, the medical risk is significant, as a premature return could jeopardize his long-term recovery.

The current scare echoes the concerns voiced by Canadian veteran Joel Waterman back in March following a previous Davies injury. The primary worry is that even if Davies is medically cleared, he would be entering the World Cup’s opening matches without having trained with the squad for several months, leaving his match fitness in doubt.

The logistics of a ‘support role’

With the recovery window estimated at four to five weeks, Davies faces a secondary hurdle. If Canada decide to include him in the final 26-man roster primarily as a locker room presence while he continues his rehab, the recovery process could suffer. The rigors of domestic and international travel during the tournament could prove counterproductive to a physical therapy schedule designed to get him back on the pitch.

This leaves head coach Jesse Marsch with a difficult decision. Davies is the undisputed centerpiece of the Canadian squad, and his availability—or lack thereof—will dictate the team’s ceiling in the world’s most prestigious tournament.

Canada’s preliminary roster remains under wraps

Amid the Davies uncertainty, Canada are among a handful of nations yet to officially unveil their 55-man preliminary list. The delay is likely strategic, as Marsch’s staff analyzes Davies’ health alongside other potential roster inclusions.

While the deadline to submit the provisional list to FIFA was May 11, nations are not required to make those names public immediately. While Canada have opted for secrecy, other contenders like Argentina have already gone public with their lists, led by Lionel Messi.

“Gavin McKenna won’t be on Team Canada’s roster for the Men’s World Championship. A group decision involving Hockey Canada and McKenna’s representatives feel it’s best to focus on the NHL combine,” Darren Dreger of TSN stated on his X account.

What’s more shocking than the fact McKenna won’t represent the Maple Leaf is that it was a mutual decision between the two parties involved. McKenna’s camp and Hockey Canada believe it’s best for the projected No. 1 pick to stay in North America and prepare for the NHL Combine and Draft.

Maple Leafs may have played a role in decision

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have avoided committing to McKenna, the Buds’ influence may be showing—especially considering Hockey Canada’s management includes former Maple Leafs GMs Brad Treliving and Kyle Dubas, as well as Jason Spezza, who played for Toronto and served as a special assistant to the GM under Dubas back in 2022–23.

Perhaps the Buds had a hand in keeping McKenna on this side of the Atlantic and safe from potential setbacks or injuries while competing against some of the best players in the world. After all, the Maple Leafs are set to pick first overall for the third time in franchise history in 2026, and they aren’t letting anything throw a wrench in the works.

Maple Leafs history with No. 1 pick in Draft

Although reports hinted that the hiring of John Chayka pushed Auston Matthews further away from the Leafs, winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery likely put an end to those concerns. All courtesy of the winning combination: 7-2-11-12. Who needs a rebuild when four lottery balls can land a team with the best prospect in a draft class? Needless to say, every time Toronto has owned the first overall pick, it has worked out just fine.

The Maple Leafs have selected first overall twice in NHL history. The first time came in 1985, when they selected Wendel Clark, who went on to score 260 goals and tally 181 assists for a total of 441 points in 588 appearances for the Buds. The second time Toronto picked first in the NHL Draft was exactly a decade ago, when it selected Matthews, who was coming off a one-year stint in Switzerland’s National League. The current captain and franchise leading goal scorer requires no introduction.

The Buds don’t need the third time to be the charm—just another franchise-saving decision. McKenna might be doing everything by the book, leaving no doubts for the Leafs that he is the right choice at first overall. Still, many fans and analysts would have liked to see McKenna on the international stage, playing alongside the likes of Macklin Celebrini and the star-studded Canadian roster.

McKenna misses Worlds, Stenberg has yet to decide

With the 2026 IIHF World Championship (May 15–31) coming up, it remains to be seen whether Swedish prospect Ivar Stenberg—considered the second-best prospect by most, with some even rating him ahead of McKenna—will join Tre Kronor and represent his home country on the world stage.

Stenberg holds an advantage, as the tournament will be held in Switzerland, meaning he faces a much shorter trip than McKenna would. Perhaps Stenberg can improve his draft stock in the international tournament, so whether McKenna is making the right decision also remains to be seen.

“Yeah, Phonzy’s obviously the captain of our team. He’s an integral part of what we’re trying to do, and it’s so unfortunate with all of his injury history and what he’s gone through in the past couple weeks, and especially with his knee,” Waterman lamented when asked by Bolavip about Davies’ absence.

“We just want him fully back and fully healthy and fully prepared for the summer. So we just hope he’s getting the best care he can, obviously, in Germany, and making sure he comes back healthy, and that’s the number one thing,” Waterman added during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Chicago Fire‘s MLS fixture against the Philadelphia Union, which will be his last club game prior to the international break.

“And then, you know, obviously what he can provide is massive for our team and the success we’re gonna have during the World Cup, so we’re wishing him all the best, and we’re excited to have him back soon.“

Why is Alphonso Davies not playing for Canada in March?

Davies, 25, is out with a hamstring injury sustained during Bayern Munich’s first leg win over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. The star left back had to be subbed off after an apparent non-contact injury 70 minutes into the clash, leaving the field in tears as his teammates consoled him.

Davies had returned to action for Bayern in December following an ACL tear suffered in March 2025 during his last appearance for Canada. Les Rouges were expecting a long-awaited return in the upcoming window, which is why his recent setback was a huge blow.

Canada’s support for Davies

However, Waterman and his teammates will be waiting for Davies to recover in time for the 2026 World Cup. Before Waterman addressed the media on Thursday, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch shared a similar sentiment.

“He’s obviously down and frustrated a little bit, but he said this little injury, compared to even the one he experienced a month ago is much less severity”, Marsch said , via TSN Sports. “He’ll probably be 2, 3 weeks before he’s back again. He’s not going to be with us for March, which is okay. We’ll leave him there in Munich and make sure he gets himself fully fit and fully back to 100%, but I’m confident he will do that.”

Canada’s March schedule

Without Davies, Canada will play two international friendlies in Toronto, first hosting Iceland on Saturday, March 28, before they welcome Tunisia to BMO Field on Tuesday, March 31.

Waterman, meanwhile, will be chasing his 16th and 17th caps for Canada, having already represented the country in multiple friendlies and Concacaf Nations League fixtures. He was also a member of the 2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa America, and 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup rosters.

Mark DeRosa’s team features a spectacular roster with names like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber, and Paul Skenes. However, after three wins at the start of the tournament, the loss to Italy was a wake-up call.

Meanwhile, Canada is one of the biggest surprises of the WBC after finishing first in Pool A over Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, and Panama. Thanks to extraordinary pitching, the Canadians could become the dark horse during the knockout stages.

What happens if Team USA loses today vs Canada in WBC?

If Team USA loses today against Canada, the American squad will be officially eliminated from the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It would be a disappointing ending for a team that was considered by fans and experts to be the tournament favorite.

What happens if Team USA win today against Canada?

If Team USA defeats Canada, that will clinch a ticket to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The next opponent in Miami would be the winner of the game between the Dominican Republic and Korea.

Bobby Witt Jr. will lead off playing shortstop, followed by Bryce Harper at first base and Aaron Judge in right field. Kyle Schwarber will be the designated hitter in the cleanup spot, while Alex Bregman is fifth at third base.

The rest of the lineup includes Roman Anthony playing left field, Cal Raleigh will handle catching duties, Brice Turang starts at second base, and Pete Crow-Armstrong rounds out the order in center field as Team USA prepares for a crucial knockout game.

Who is Team USA starting pitcher vs Canada in 2026 World Baseball Classic?

Team USA will send Logan Webb to the mound for the quarterfinal matchup against Canada. The right-hander, known for his consistency with the San Francisco Giants, will be responsible for setting the tone in a win or go home game.

Who is the manager of Team USA in World Baseball Classic?

The manager of Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic is Mark DeRosa. He has faced a lot of criticism during this year’s competition after admitting that he believed the team had already clinched a ticket to the quarterfinals before a surprising loss to Italy which might have cost elimination.

Team USA starting lineup vs Canada in 2026 WBC

1. Bobby Witt Jr. SS
2. Bryce Harper, 1B
3. Aaron Judge, RF
4. Kyle Schwarber, DH
5. Alex Bregman, 3B
6. Roman Anthony, LF
7. Cal Raleigh, C
8. Brice Turang, 2B
9. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF

Fans from both countries are expected to fill the stands, creating an electric atmosphere as the elimination game kicks off. The buzz surrounding this matchup goes beyond numbers.

With Team United States advancing under dramatic circumstances and Canada bringing a strong roster of MLB talent, including stars like Tyler O’Neill and Abraham Toro, the anticipation for tonight’s game has reached a fever pitch.

Massive crowd expected as Team USA faces Canada

Daikin Park is expected to welcome between 40,963 to 41,000 fans for tonight’s quarterfinal. While official attendance figures haven’t been released, ticket sales indicate a full house as enthusiasts flock to witness this high-stakes clash.

Canada’s historic run to the quarterfinals has captured the imagination of fans nationwide. After topping Pool A with an impressive win over Cuba, the team brings a lineup rich in MLB talent, including stars like Owen Caissie.

Team USA enters tonight’s game with momentum and pressure. Their path to the quarterfinals was dramatic, with an 8-6 loss to Italy forcing reliance on other results. Nevertheless, the Americans boast a deep roster of MLB stars like Aaron Judge.

As the quarterfinal unfolds, every at-bat, pitch and defensive play will be magnified by the roar of the crowd. For Team USA, it’s a chance to prove resilience; for Canada, an opportunity to make history.

The United States secured its place in the knockout round on Wednesday, though the team had to wait for the result between Italy and Mexico to officially confirm its spot. With the matchup against Canada now set, the coaching staff made adjustments to strengthen the pitching group.

According to a report shared by John Heyman, the roster changes were confirmed. “Official Team USA changes so far: Skubal, Wacha, Yarbrough off the quarterfinal roster. Will Vest, Tyler Rogers, Tim Hill added to the quarterfinal roster.”

Why Team USA adjusted the pitching staff

Roster adjustments are common during the World Baseball Classic, especially when MLB teams manage pitchers’ workloads during Spring Training. Some players return to their clubs, while others are added to keep the pitching staff balanced for the next stage of the tournament.

What the changes mean for the quarterfinal vs Canada

With the tournament now entering a win-or-go-home format, Team USA will rely on its revamped bullpen to face Canada’s lineup. The new pitchers are expected to handle key situations and provide flexibility in late-inning scenarios. As the stakes increase, managing innings and matchups will be critical for Team USA as it looks to advance to the WBC semifinals.