Nova Scotia will have a player on Canada’s men’s FIFA World Cup team for the first time.
Kentville’s Jacob Shaffelburg has been named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which gets underway June 12 in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The 26-year-old winger was born in Kentville and grew up in nearby Port Williams before rising through the ranks of Nova Scotia soccer and eventually reaching the professional level.
Shaffelburg has become a regular member of Canada’s national team and played a key role during the country’s run to the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America tournament.
His selection marks a historic first for Nova Scotia, which has never before had a player named to Canada’s men’s World Cup roster.
Canada opens the tournament on June 12 and will be looking to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in its history.
For soccer fans across Nova Scotia, Shaffelburg’s inclusion on the roster represents a milestone moment for the sport in the province and a chance to see one of their own compete on soccer’s biggest stage.
