Former Hale End midfielder Marcelo Flores has finally settled his international future, ending months of uncertainty over which nation he will represent at senior level.
Marcelo Flores has formally ended his association with Mexico and will now represent Canada at senior international level.
The 22-year-old, born in Georgetown, Ontario to a Canadian mother and Mexican father, made three senior appearances for Mexico after progressing through their youth system. Under regulations introduced in 2021 by FIFA, players capped three times or fewer before turning 21 are permitted to make a one time change of association.
Flores required formal approval and the exchange appeared this week on FIFA’s Change of Association platform.
The move had been expected since November. Flores was named as a “training player” with Canada during friendlies against Ecuador and Venezuela, a step designed to integrate him into Jessie Marsch’s squad before a potential competitive debut in 2026 World Cup qualifying. He did not feature in those matches.
The decision represents a clear reversal. In 2022 Flores stated he would represent Mexico “wholeheartedly for the rest of my professional life.” That commitment followed an attempt by John Herdman, then Canada head coach, to call him into camp in 2021, which did not materialise due to pandemic restrictions.
Flores joined Arsenal’s academy from Ipswich Town in 2019 and established himself as one of Hale End’s leading prospects.
He signed his first professional contract in 2020 and was named on the bench for a Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace in April 2022, but did not make a competitive senior appearance before leaving in 2023.
He subsequently joined Tigres UANL for €815k and has since produced flashes in Liga MX, including a 10 minute hat trick against Necaxa, despite limited opportunities.
His international future now lies with Canada as he looks to establish a defined role under Marsch ahead of a home World Cup in 2026.