Canada calls up Aribim Pepple, of English third tier, for its March roster

Pepple has been in strong form for Plymouth Argyle, who are chasing promotion in the English third tier. Dan Istitene / Getty Images

Canada is bringing a new face to their March international camp: Plymouth Argyle striker Aribim Pepple, 23, has earned his first call-up to the men’s national team, sources briefed on the squad told The Athletic.

Head coach Jesse Marsch is expected to name his roster for the March camp on Thursday. Pepple could be the only new player called into Canada’s squad.

Pepple is currently enjoying a fine season in League One, the third division of English soccer. He has 12 goals in 29 League One appearances, ranking him joint-11th in the league’s top scorers.

The March international window is Canada’s last before they must name their World Cup squad on June 1. Canada will play friendlies in Toronto against Iceland and Tunisia on Saturday, March 28 and Tuesday, March 31 respectively.

Pepple’s inclusion is a testament to his resilience but also his upbringing.

The forward was born in Kettering, England but after moving to Canada as a child, he developed in Calgary, Alberta. At 15, Pepple was one of the youngest players in nationwide Canadian Premier League open trials before the league kicked off in 2019. Pepple signed his first professional contract with Calgary’s Cavalry FC in 2019, getting development opportunities in his new hometown he might not have had the CPL not been created.

“Aribim’s exciting, I think he’s exactly what the Canadian Premier League is built for, a league by Canadians for Canadians,” Cavalry head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. said in 2019. “He’s 16, he’s built like a man, but he’s a very smart player — he’s very explosive.”

From struggles to scoring – how Pepple earned his break

After the CPL, Pepple moved to Getafe’s Under-19 side in Madrid, Spain and then had another one-year stint with Cavalry. In August 2022, he was transferred to then-English Championship side Luton Town. Pepple never made a single appearance for Luton, instead bouncing through five different clubs across England and Scotland in three years on loan.

Pepple’s future with Plymouth Argyle after a 2025 transfer seemed in doubt when he was not named to the squad for six straight League One matches through November and December 2025. But after injuries in the squad crept up, Pepple grabbed hold of his opportunity and did not let go. In his last 17 League One appearances, he has 11 goals and two assists.

That remarkable form led to Marsch and Canada’s men’s national team to begin tracking him in earnest.

An injury to Promise David that will keep one of Canada’s better forwards out of the March window, and possibly the World Cup, led to another opportunity for Pepple. It has long been his dream to represent Canada.

Marsch is likely not bothered by the fact that Pepple is scoring in England’s third division. Canada’s coach prioritizes form so close to the World Cup and isn’t afraid to roll the dice on a player if he can enter a national team camp with confidence and an ability to play his high-tempo style.

Pepple possesses many of the qualities that David brings, including size, strength and ability to finish close to the box with his first touch.

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