Aird’s name on Gold Cup 35-man list: Process to make him Canada-eligible can begin

Fraser Aird

The Canadian Soccer Association announced its 35-man preliminary roster Friday, a first step in preparing the men’s national team for July’s Gold Cup.

Technical Director Tony Fonseca and the person who will coach the team at the regional championship will pick the team from the 35 players on the initial roster.

The biggest surprise was the inclusion of Fraser Aird on the team sheet.

Aird, who plays for Rangers, chose to represent Scotland at the youth level. Because he held a Canadian passport at the time he appeared for Scotland’s youth sides, he is eligible to make the switch. But FIFA rules are quite specific on how a switch has to be made. Before FIFA can officially be approached, the player in question must be invited to a camp or be named to the roster of the new national team. The invite from the national association must come BEFORE a petition to switch shirts can be made to FIFA.

So, if Canada puts Aird on the roster, the legal part of the undertaking can begin.

This is the same process currently being undertaken by Rachel Quon. As of Thursday night, the former U.S. U20 women’s-team player had not been given clearance to play for Canada’s senior squad. But, because Canada’s national women’s-team coach, John Herdman, named her to the roster for June 2’s friendly against the United States, the formal process to nationalize her as a soccer player was able begin — even if her application isn’t ready in time for the game.

Canada’s 35-player roster

GK- Haidar Al-Shaïbani | FRA / Nîmes Olympique

GK- Milan Borjan | TUR / Sivasspor

GK- Tomer Chencinski | unattached

GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball

GK- Simon Thomas | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC (on loan to FC Edmonton)

D- Nana Attakora | USA / San Jose Earthquakes

D- Marcel de Jong | GER / FC Augsburg

D- David Edgar | ENG / Burnley FC

D- André Hainault | unattached

D- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC

D- Dejan Jakovic | USA / D.C. United

D- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC

D- Adam Straith | GER / FC Saarbrücken

D/M- Nik Ledgerwood | SWE / Hammarby Fotboll

M- Fraser Aird | SCO / Rangers FC

M- Keven Aleman | ESP / Real Valladolid

M- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC

M- Stefan Cebara | SVN / Nogometni Klub Celje

M- Julian de Guzman | unattached

M- Daniel Haber | unattached

M- Atiba Hutchinson | unattached

M- Will Johnson | USA / Portland Timbers

M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC

M- Pedro Pacheco | POR / unattached

M- Samuel Piette | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf

M/F- Dwayne De Rosario | USA / D.C. United

M/F- Issey Nakajima-Farran | CYP / Alki Larnaca

M/F – Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC

F- Lucas Cavallini | URU / Club Nacional

F- Randy Edwini-Bonsu | unattached

F- Marcus Haber | ENG / Stevenage FC

F- Simeon Jackson | unattached

F- Frank Jonke | FIN / FF Jaro

F- Kyle Porter | USA / D.C. United

F- Tosaint Ricketts | NOR / Sandnes Ulf