Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Friday, June 12, 2026, 6:47 p.m. / Updated Friday, June 12, 2026, 6:48 p.m.
Jayden Nelson (23 years old), the player of Austin FC in the MLS, caught the Canadian squad for the 2026 World Cup in extremis. The footballer was called up to replace Marcelo Flores, the right holder of the position and who was injured before the start of the final tournament.
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Canada will debut at the 2026 World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The match at BMO Field in Toronto was scheduled for June 12, from 22:00 Romanian time.
Jayden Nelson, when he was just 18 months old, was diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer. The disease later spread to the lungs. Doctors told the parents that any active lifestyle, including sports, would not be possible for their child.
Jayden Nelson snagged Canada's 2026 World Cup squad at the last minute and has an incredible story: He beat cancer
Although Nelson was not originally in coach Jesse Marsch's plans, he was called up and fulfilled a childhood dream: to play in a World Championship final tournament. He has 15 caps for Canada and three goals.
“It's a dream come true, especially with the World Cup at home and after beating cancer. It's a big thing. It's just an inspiration to a lot of people who want to achieve great things in life. I hope I can be that person they can look up to,” said Jayden Nelson, according to sport.aktuality.sk.
When he was young and hospitalized in Toronto, soccer became part of his therapy. His mother and a nurse from the oncology ward found a small soccer ball in a toy box. He played with it in the hallways until his friends warned him that medical personnel were approaching.
“For me, it's more than just being part of the national team at the World Cup. It's more like great news for kids who yearn for something big in their lives. My mindset going into the field will not be to try to protect what I have already achieved, but to try to create a new reputation every time I step on the pitch. It was just a relief to get the call from the coach. I waited a long time… and it was very emotional ” Nelson revealed.
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Jayden Nelson made his senior debut for Toronto in 2023. In 2023 he had his first experience of European football at Rosenborg. The group from Norway loaned him to Ulm and then returned to the MLS in Vancouver. In the winter he was transferred to Austin. In the current MLS season, which started recently and was interrupted for the World Cup, Jayden Nelson has 11 games and two goals scored. It is quoted by specialized websites at 2 million euros.
