Canada enters the World Championship in Thailand (2025) with a slightly changed appearance compared to its last test - the tournamentAustiger Cupin Shenzhen (China). Then the "maple leaves" lost to Bulgaria 2:3, just days before the official start of the championship. Canada beat us 3:2 in the VNL, but with a different squad.
The tournament in Asia was an important benchmark for coach Giovanni Guidetti, but also a clear signal that Canada was clearly showing its full arsenal. The two biggest stars -Kiera Van RykandAlexa Gray- did not participate at all, and their final refusal to play in the World Cup marks a serious loss for the team's ambitions.
Canada's squad at the Austiger Cup tournament (Shenzhen, China)
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Setters | Courtney Baker, Quinn Pelland |
| Outside Hitters | Andrea Mitrovic, Hilary Howe, Victoria Savard, Thana Fayad, Abbey Neufeld |
| Opposites | Anna Smrek |
| Middle Blockers | Emily Maglio, Lucie Borowski, Nyadholi Thokbuom, Jessica Andrews |
| Liberos | Julia Murmann, Kacey Jost |
The squad was built aroundMitrovic, Smerek, and Maglio, who carried the main burden in attack and block. Hilary Howe was the leading figure in reception. The absence of Gray and Van Ryk at that time already suggested that the Canadian staff was looking for alternative core options.
Official Canada Squad for the World Championship (Thailand 2025)
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Setters | Courtney Baker, Quinn Pelland |
| Outside Hitters | Andrea Mitrovic, Hilary Johnson, Viktoria Savard, Tana Fayad, Abby Guezen |
| Opposites | Anna Smerek, Lucie Borowski |
| Middle Blockers | Emily Maglio (capt.), Nyadholi Thokbuom, Jessica Andrews |
| Liberos | Julia Murmann, Kacey Jost |
The squad almost completely overlaps with the one from China, but with a small change - in reception entersHilary Johnson (instead of Hilary Howe). The key remains the absence of Van Ryk and Gray. Thus, the final version for the World Cup was practically "fixed" during the Austiger Cup, with only one cosmetic change.
The absence of Van Rijswijk and Gray remains the big question mark – without them Canada loses a significant part of its attacking power and will have to rely maximally on Mitrovic and Smerek to be competitive.
