Canada's Kadeisha Buchanan participates during a women's Group A soccer match between Colombia and Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Nice Stadium in Nice, France. Canada won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

By The Canadian Press

Buchanan back as Canadian women prepare for FIFA Series in Brazil

Apr 2, 2026 | 8:00 AM

A veteran defender is set to make her return as Canada’s women’s soccer team prepares for this month’s FIFA Series in Brazil.

Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea FC) is one of the 24 players on the roster unveiled by Canada Soccer on Thursday.

The 30-year-old centre back from Brampton, Ont., has not played for her country since October 2024 because of a long-term knee injury.

Goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo (Aston Villa Women), defender Jayde Riviere (Manchester United WFC) and forward Olivia Smith (Arsenal W.F.C.) are also on the roster after they missed playing during the February international window with various ailments.

Canada will be without injured forwards Jordyn Huitema (Chicago Red Stars), Adriana Leon (San Diego Wave FC) and Holly Ward (Seattle Reign FC), defenders Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit) and Shelina Zadorsky (West Ham United FC), and goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx (Ipswich Town FC).

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Canada, currently ranked ninth in the world, is set to play three games in Cuiabá, Brazil during the FIFA Series, starting with a matchup against No. 66 Zambia on April 11. The squad will then take on No. 19 South Korea on April 14 before closing the event against No. 8 Brazil on April 18.

“Being in Brazil, with the 2027 Women’s World Cup set to be played here, makes this an especially valuable window for us. It’s a chance to step out of our comfort zone, adapt to the conditions, and take important lessons as a team,” Canada’s head coach Casey Stoney said in a release.

“This competition will test us in three very different ways against three distinct opponents, and we’re looking forward to seeing how we respond while continuing to build the team we want to be.”

The FIFA Series features men’s and women’s teams from 50 nations across 13 groups, with games being played in 12 countries.

Canada is coming off a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Argentina in the SheBelieves Cup on March 7, a victory that saw the country finish second in the tournament.

The FIFA Series will mark another step in the country’s preparation for November’s CONCACAF W Championship. The eight-team tournament will serve as a qualifier for both the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

The Canadian Press