2018 Under-18 national team announced

Football Canada has taken the first step to try and win a third straight International Federation of American Football under-19 World Championship.

On Monday, Football Canada announced a 40-player roster along with seven alternates for its under-18 National Team.

The players were selected from a pool of talented standouts that competed at the 2018 Football Canada Cup held in Calgary in July. Out of the 47 players selected for the under-18 National Team, 26 of those were named all-stars at the Football Canada Cup.

These players are also being evaluated to potentially make the roster of Canada’s under-19 team in 2020 that will participate in the IFAF under-19 World Championship. The details of the when and where the 2020 IFAF under-19 World Championship will be held are still being determined.

On July 22 in Mexico City, Mexico, Canada claimed a second straight under-19 world title downing the host Mexico side 13-7 in the championship game before close to 25,000 fans at Olympic Stadium.

“This is a big first step as a lot of these players will make up the core roster of the World Junior team playing in 2020,” said Steve Sumarah, who is the Head Coach of the Junior National Team.

“From what I can see, the selection committee did a very good job of highlighting the talent that was present at the Canada Cup. I am very happy with what I have seen and what I know about these players.”

Highlighting the list of players for the under-18 team are quarterback Keegan Kaytor (Regina, Sask.), linebacker Ramsey Derbas (Saskatoon, Sask.) and receiver Adley Mayala (Calgary, Alta.), who were the respective offensive, defensive and special teams MVPs of the Canada Cup.

The under-18 national team will face the United States in the 2019 International Bowl series this coming January. The location and exact January dates for the activities associated with that event are still to be determined.