Football
"He's One to Watch": Ex-Canada Star Tips Jebbison for Bournemouth Success and World Cup Spot
Former Canada star Paul Peschisolido backs Bournemouth's Daniel Jebbison for World Cup selection, urging the Canucks to consider the rising talent for the 2026 tournament.
Image Credits: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
AFC Bournemouth striker Daniel Jebbison can play himself into Canada’s World Cup squad by starring for Andoni Iraola’s top-flight team.
That is the verdict of Paul Peschisolido, who believes Canucks boss Jesse Marsch should consider poaching the 21-year-old from England following his summer move to The Vitality Stadium.
Jebbison’s Path to International Consideration
Despite representing the Young Lions at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level, Jebbison was born in Ontario before moving to England as a teenager. He is therefore eligible to be selected by the North Americans, who automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament as co-hosts alongside the USA and Mexico.
Jebbison started his professional career with Sheffield United and former Canadian star Peschisolido, who also represented The Blades, said: “One hundred percent Daniel is someone we should be looking at. It’s up to him to do his talking with his feet now but, if he does that, then I definitely think he can get a chance.”
Peschisolido’s Endorsement
“Daniel is playing in the best league on the planet. So, for starters, that should make people back home sit up and take notice,” Peschisolido told SportsBoom.com.
“We’ve got a lot of good attacking options. But he’s clearly an exciting prospect and if he does the business on the pitch then I’d be surprised if Daniel didn’t find himself presented with a choice to make.”
Peschisolido added: “Daniel has got to play his part; by building on the qualities he’s got, striving to become even better and taking the chance he’s been presented with. If he does that, then why not?
It goes without saying, with his connections as well, I’d love to see him do it.
Daniel Jebbison
A Promising Young Talent
Jebbison became the youngest player to score on their full Premier League debut when, aged 17, he netted for United during a match at Everton towards the end of the 2020/2021 campaign.
The Cherries swooped for Jebbison’s services when his contract at Bramall Lane expired, fighting-off stiff competition from both home and abroad.
A one-time target of The Toffees, Jebbison was initially earmarked for a loan back to the Championship by Iraola.
But with Dominic Solanke joining Tottenham Hotspur, the Spaniard revealed he could reconsider that decision ahead of last weekend’s visit to Nottingham Forest, where record signing Evanilson was unavailable for selection due to the timing of his switch from Porto.
Jebbison featured in all four of Bournemouth’s official pre-season matches, scoring the winning goal during a victory over Girona.
He was introduced during the second half of The Cherries’ draw at the City Ground, replacing fellow marksman Dango Quattara before Antoine Semenyo cancelled-out Chris Woods’ opener.
Canada’s World Cup Ambitions
Peschisolido, who was capped 53 times by Canada before retiring as a player, said: “The World Cup is going to be huge for Canada and anyone who can play for us should be looking to get involved.
“We’ve got a really good crop of talent now and hopefully that will get even stronger.”
What we don’t want to do, which maybe we’ve been guilty of in the past, is miss out on people who are eligible to represent us but get picked off by other countries first.
Daniel Jebbison
“The better we do, the less that’s hopefully going to happen.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.