By The Canadian Press

Canada names 21-player roster for final CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Qualifiers

Mar 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM

Melyna Alexis, Gabriela Istocki, Lacey Kindel and Reed Tingley, who represented Canada at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, have been named to the Canadian 21-player roster for the final round of 2026 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers.

The 12-team tournament, which represents the second round of qualifying in the region, runs March 17 to 22 at the Costa Rican Football Federation headquarters in San Rafael, Alajuela.

Canada will play out of Group A, facing Nicaragua on March 17, the Dominican Republic on March 19 and El Salvador on March 22. The three group winners and the best second-place finisher will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November in Morocco.

Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States skipped the first round which saw 28 countries split into six groups. After round-robin play between Jan. 24 and Feb. 2, eight teams advanced to the final round. The Dominican Republic, Panama, Haiti, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and El Salvador moved on as group winners with Bermuda and Nicaragua joining them as the best second-place finishers.

Canada made it to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Morocco, losing to Brazil on a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw. North Korea won the tournament for the fourth time.

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The young Canadian women have competed in eight of the nine previous editions of the FIFA tournament, missing out in 2024 when only two CONCACAF teams joined the host Dominican Republic. Canada lost 2-1 to Mexico after extra time in the semifinal, eventually finishing third.

Canada’s best showing at the FIFA tournament was fourth in 2018 with a roster that included Jade Rose, Jayde Riviere and Jordyn Huitema.

Nineteen players return from the February preparation camp in Spain, where Canada recorded a 1-1 draw and 3-1 win over Finland.

Kindel comes from a B.C. sporting family. Father Steve Kindel and mother Sara Maglio both played soccer for Canada, while Lacey’s brother Ben is a rookie forward with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Alexis, meanwhile, was just 15 at the 2025 FIFA tournament.

None of the Canadian women have spent time with the senior side.

Jesse Acteson will serve as interim coach while head coach Jen Herst recovers from a medical procedure.

“This age group has made great strides over the past year, and our focus now is on continuing that progress,” Acteson said in a statement. “For this competition, we want to build on that growth both on and off the pitch and compete at a high level. We’re excited to be back with the group, and the goal is clear: win our group and qualify for the World Cup. We’re confident this team has what it takes to get it done.”

Acteson was part of Canada’s technical staff during last year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup and most recently led the women’s U-16 team during its December identification camp.

Canada U-17 Roster (with hometown and club, x- denotes alternate player)

Goalkeepers: Kellyane Dumas, Terrebonne, Que., CF Montreal; Megan Lemieux, Montreal, CF Montreal; Samantha Powell, Winnipeg, Vancouver Rise FC academy.

Defenders: Mayron Brou, Quebec City, CF Montreal; Adrianna Giese, Burnaby, B.C., Vancouver Rise FC academy; Iris Oppong, Whitby, Ont., NDC-CDN Ontario ; Elizabeth Proulx, Saint-Constant, Que., CF Montreal; Paige Rueffer, Mississauga, Ont., NDC-CDN Ontario ; Sloane Southcombe, Ottawa, Ottawa South United.

Midfielders: Brady Burtnett, Dallas, Sting Royal; Gabriela Istocki, Mississauga, Ont., NDC-CDN Ontario; Isabella Lanzillotta, Mississauga, Ont., NDC-CDN Ontario; Brooklyn Schwartzberg, San Diego, Legends FC; Chloe Scicchitano, Laval, Que., CF Montreal.

Forwards: Melyna Alexis, Mascouche, Que., CF Montreal; Bridget Asekomhe, Katy, Texas, Albion Hurricanes FC; Brooklyn Boldt, South Surrey, B.C., Vancouver Rise FC academy; Adalyn Fairweather, Sherwood Park, Alta., St. Albert Impact; x-Ailish Hennessy, Stouffville, Ont., NDC-CDN Ontario; Lacey Kindel , Coquitlam, B.C.; Vancouver Rise FC academy; Racquel Partovi, Surrey, B.C., Vancouver Rise FC academy; Reed Tingley, Atlanta, Concorde Fire.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 10, 2026.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press