Canada’s Tokyo 2020 soccer team announced

TORONTO (June 23, 2021) – Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s soccer team nominated to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Women’s National Soccer Team qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in Texas and California in January 2020, earning Canada its fourth consecutive Olympic berth in women’s soccer.

“It is always an honour to represent Canada at the Olympic Games and I am excited to be returning to my fourth Olympic Games,” said Captain Christine Sinclair. “The Olympic Games have played an important part in the history of Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team, and I am looking forward to doing whatever I can to help take this team back to the podium and make history again. Our team is in a good spot, we are excited, we are hungry and we are ready to go.”

Canada is one of just five nations in the world that have qualified for each of the last four Women’s Olympic Football Tournaments. Canada is also the only nation in the world to reach the podium at both London 2012 and Rio 2016 in women’s football. At Rio 2016, the Women’s National Team were the first Canadian team sport to win back-to-back medals at an Olympic Summer Games in more than a century. At London 2012, they became the first Canadian team sport to win a medal at the Olympic Summer Games since 1936.

“For me, team selection was a question of picking the right blend of players across the pitch, so that we can progress through the six games at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament ready to win,” said Bev Priestman, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team Head Coach. “I know these players will do everything in their power to make Canada proud. With hard work, the right mindset and a strong belief in our individual and collective ability, Canada can give any team a really difficult game and ultimately succeed in the Olympic Games.”

As the reigning two-time Olympic bronze medallists, Canada will kick off their Tokyo 2020 journey by facing the host country Japan in the opening match in Sapporo on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. Japanese Standard Time (6:30 a.m. ET / 3:30 a.m. PT). Canada will next face Chile on July 24 at 4:30 p.m. Japanese Standard Time (3:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. PT), before wrapping up the group stage against Great Britain in Kashima on July 27 at 8 p.m. Japanese Standard Time (7 a.m. ET / 4:00 a.m. PT).

From 12 nations in three groups, the top-eight teams advance to the Olympic quarterfinals, including the top two from each of the groups and the top two third-place finishers. The quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinals with the winners playing in the gold medal match at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium and the other two semifinalists playing for the bronze medal. 

“Coming to their fourth consecutive Olympic Games, this team has become an emotional heart of Team Canada,” said Team Canada’s Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission, Marnie McBean. “Led once again by Christine Sinclair, they are a blend of exciting veterans and young leaders. I have no doubt they will once again be a catalyst for all of us with their blend of intensity, skill and joy for their beautiful game. I can’t wait until they open things up against Japan on July 22nd!”

The athletes nominated are:

Janine Beckie (Highlands Ranch, Col, USA)
Kadeisha Buchanan (Brampton, Ont.)
Allysha Chapman (Courtice, Ont.)
Jessie Fleming (London, Ont.)
Vanessa Gilles (Ottawa, Ont.)
Julia Grosso (Vancouver, B.C.)
Stephanie Labbé (Stony Plain, Alta.)
Ashley Lawrence (Caledon East, Ont.)
Adriana Leon (Maple & King City, Ont.)
Nichelle Prince (Ajax, Ont.)
Quinn (Toronto, Ont.)
Jayde Riviere (Markham, Ont.)
Deanne Rose (Alliston, Ont.)
Desiree Scott (Winnipeg, Man.)
Kailen Sheridan (Whitby, Ont.)
Christine Sinclair (Burnaby, B.C.)
Evelyne Viens (L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que.)
Shelina Zadorsky (London, Ont.)

Alternates:

Gabrielle Carle (Lévis, Que.)
Jordyn Huitema (Chilliwack, B.C.)
Erin McLeod (Edmonton, Alta.)
Sophie Schmidt (Abbotsford, B.C.)

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organisations.

The latest Team Canada Tokyo 2020 roster can be found here and the qualification tracker can be found here.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Vanessa Racine, Content Manager
Canada Soccer
C: 613-314-3533
E: vracine@canadasoccer.com

Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-464-4060
E: jsu@olympic.ca