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Marcelo Flores has completed a one-time switch from Mexico to Canada, FIFA has confirmed on its Change of Association Platform.
The Tigres attacker could be a significant addition for Canada coach Jesse Marsch, who has been recruiting the 22-year-old for some time.
Flores developed in England, first playing for Ipswich's academy before joining Arsenal. He did not make a senior appearance for the Gunners, spending time on loan with Spanish side Real Oviedo before joining Tigres in 2023.
This season has started brightly for Flores, who has three goals and an assist in his first seven games of 2026.
Flores was born in Canada but was eligible for Mexico through his father. He appeared to be a lost cause for Canada after making his senior debut for Mexico in 2021, then making two more appearances in 2022.
But Flores fell out of the plans for El Tri while Canada continued to push for him to switch. The persistence paid off when Flores joined Canada’s November camp as a training player, signaling his openness to a change of association.
He'll now have a chance to play at the 2026 World Cup, which Canada will co-host along with Mexico and the United States.
Flores could make his Canada debut in friendlies next month, with Canada facing Iceland on March 28 and Tunisia on March 31.
Canada was drawn into Group B at the World Cup, where it will face Switzerland, Qatar and a European playoff winner (either Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland or Wales).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marcelo Flores joins Canada after switch from Mexico
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The Tigres attacker could be a significant addition for Canada coach Jesse Marsch, who has been recruiting the 22-year-old for some time.
Flores developed in England, first playing for Ipswich's academy before joining Arsenal. He did not make a senior appearance for the Gunners, spending time on loan with Spanish side Real Oviedo before joining Tigres in 2023.
This season has started brightly for Flores, who has three goals and an assist in his first seven games of 2026.
Flores was born in Canada but was eligible for Mexico through his father. He appeared to be a lost cause for Canada after making his senior debut for Mexico in 2021, then making two more appearances in 2022.
But Flores fell out of the plans for El Tri while Canada continued to push for him to switch. The persistence paid off when Flores joined Canada’s November camp as a training player, signaling his openness to a change of association.
He'll now have a chance to play at the 2026 World Cup, which Canada will co-host along with Mexico and the United States.
Flores could make his Canada debut in friendlies next month, with Canada facing Iceland on March 28 and Tunisia on March 31.
Canada was drawn into Group B at the World Cup, where it will face Switzerland, Qatar and a European playoff winner (either Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland or Wales).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marcelo Flores joins Canada after switch from Mexico
Continue reading...
