PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mathieu Choinière |
| Date of Birth | 7 February 1999 (Age: 27) |
| Place of Birth | Saint-Alexandre, Quebec, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Height | 1.73–1.75 m / 5 ft 8 in |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #66 (LAFC), #6 (Canada) |
| Current Club | Los Angeles FC |
| Previous Clubs | CF Montréal, Grasshopper Club Zürich (loan), LAFC (loan) |
| International Caps | 23+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2028 (club option 2029) |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. For Mathieu Choinière, it was the fulfillment of a journey that had taken him from the youth academy of CF Montréal to the global stage. The 27-year-old midfielder from Saint-Alexandre, Quebec—a town of just 2,722 people—was making his World Cup debut for his home country.
Choinière’s selection came after a turbulent period in his career. A move to Swiss club Grasshopper Club Zürich in August 2024 had not gone as planned—he suffered a leg injury, and the manager who brought him in was fired, leaving him out of favour. But a loan move to LAFC in July 2025 revived his career. He made an immediate impact, and LAFC exercised their option to make the move permanent.
At the World Cup, Choinière was named in Jesse Marsch’s 26-man squad alongside fellow midfielders Stephen Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné, Jonathan Osorio, and Nathan Saliba. When Koné suffered a broken leg against Qatar, Choinière was called upon to start alongside Nathan Saliba in Canada’s crucial group-stage clash against Switzerland. It was the moment the boy from Saint-Alexandre had been waiting for.
Origins
Mathieu Choinière was born on 7 February 1999 in Saint-Alexandre, Quebec, Canada. He stands at approximately 1.73–1.75 metres and weighs around 68 kilograms.
His football journey began at age 12 when he joined the CF Montréal academy in 2011. He is the first player in the history of the Montreal academy to progress through every youth level, from U-13 all the way to U-19, before making his first-team debut. His older brother, David, also played professional soccer with Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League.
Choinière made his senior debut for Canada on 13 October 2023 against Japan. The number 6 he wears for the national team—and 66 for LAFC—holds special meaning: it is for his son, who was born on 6 June.
The Professional Forge
CF Montréal (2018-2024):
Choinière graduated to the CF Montréal first team in 2018. Over six seasons with the club, he made 120 league appearances, including 89 starts, recording 11 goals and 3 assists. His most productive MLS campaign came in 2023, when he scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across 28 appearances. He was named to the MLS All-Star team in both 2023 and 2024.
During his time at Montréal, he won the Canadian Championship twice—in 2019 and 2021. He was also part of the CF Montréal squad that participated in the Concacaf Champions League in 2021-22.
Grasshopper Club Zürich (2024-2025):
In August 2024, Choinière moved to Swiss Super League side Grasshopper Club Zürich. He made 17 league appearances, but the move did not go as planned. He suffered a leg injury, and when the manager who brought him in was fired, his style did not suit the new boss. He was sent on loan to LAFC in July 2025.
Los Angeles FC (2025-Present):
On 28 July 2025, LAFC announced the loan acquisition of Choinière from Grasshopper Club Zürich. He made 13 appearances across all competitions for LAFC in the 2025 season. The move was a success—LAFC exercised their permanent transfer option on 8 December 2025, signing Choinière through the 2028 season with an additional option for 2029. The transfer fee was reported as €820,000.
LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington praised the signing: “Since arriving late in the summer, Mathieu made an immediate impact with his experience, intelligence and versatility… He brings a calm authority and a competitive edge that strengthen our group on and off the field.”
Choinière wears the number 66 for LAFC in honour of his son.
The Anatomy of His Game
Choinière is a right-footed midfielder defined by his versatility, intelligence, and composure. He can play anywhere in the midfield—centrally, on the left, or on the right. At LAFC in 2025, he played the majority of his minutes in central midfield but has been deployed on both flanks when needed.
In Possession:
Choinière is a composed passer who offers good ball distribution. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and linking defence to attack. LAFC’s Thorrington praised his “experience, intelligence and versatility.” He has the ability to dictate tempo and connect play in midfield.
Out of Possession:
Choinière contributes defensively with ball recovery. His work rate and tactical discipline make him a reliable option in central areas. He is not a player who relies on physicality but rather on positioning and reading of the game.
Psychological Edge:
Choinière’s resilience is one of his defining characteristics. His move to Switzerland did not go as planned, but he fought his way back, earned a loan to LAFC, and secured a permanent move. His calm authority and competitive edge have been praised by his club management. When asked what advice he would give his 12-year-old self, he said: “Just enjoy the game and give 100 percent every single day.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS (LAFC) | — | — | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2+ | — | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| CF Montréal | 2018-2024 | 120 | 11 |
| Grasshopper Club Zürich | 2024-2025 | 17 | — |
| LAFC (loan) | 2025 | 13 | — |
| LAFC | 2026-Present | — | — |
| TOTAL | — | 150+ | 11 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2+ | 0 | Round of 16 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 | — | — | Participant |
| Canada Senior Career | 23+ | 0 | — |
TABLE D: Career Achievements
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| MLS All-Star | 2023, 2024 |
| Canadian Championship | 2019, 2021 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup Participant | 2025 |
| FIFA World Cup Participant | 2026 |
| First CF Montréal Academy Graduate | U-13 to U-19 |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent performer in MLS. His 120 appearances for CF Montréal and 11 goals over six seasons demonstrate his reliability. His 23 caps for Canada and World Cup selection reflect his standing in the national team setup.
The Present Tense
Mathieu Choinière is 27 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a midfielder for Los Angeles FC in MLS and a World Cup squad member for Canada.
The LAFC Story:
Choinière joined LAFC on loan in July 2025 and made 13 appearances across all competitions. In December 2025, LAFC exercised their permanent transfer option, signing Choinière through the 2028 season with an additional option for 2029. He wears the number 66 for LAFC in honour of his son.
The World Cup Campaign:
Choinière was named in Jesse Marsch’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following Ismaël Koné’s broken leg against Qatar, Choinière was called upon to start alongside Nathan Saliba in Canada’s group-stage match against Switzerland. He made multiple appearances at the tournament. Canada achieved its best-ever World Cup finish, reaching the Round of 16.
International Record:
Choinière has earned 23+ caps for Canada since his senior debut on 13 October 2023 against Japan. He has yet to score his first international goal. He represented Canada at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Choinière is defined by his family and his roots. He is the pride of Saint-Alexandre, Quebec—a town of just 2,722 people. His favourite thing about his hometown is his family: “All of my people are there. My parents’ home.”
The number he wears is a tribute to his son: “He was born June 6… So he can always be with me.” His son is the source of his daily motivation: “Whatever my day has been like at training, I can be sad or whatever, he doesn’t care. He’s just happy to see me.”
Choinière’s favourite pre-match meal is waffles—with maple syrup, of course. He considers Alphonso Davies the greatest Canadian footballer of all time “in terms of impact on the country, the people.” He has also named Patrice Bernier and Moïse Bombito in his all-time Canadian 5-a-side team.
His journey has been marked by resilience. When his move to Switzerland did not work out, he did not give up—he returned to MLS, earned a loan move, and then a permanent contract.
The Verdict from the Camp
John Thorrington, LAFC Co-President & General Manager:
“Since arriving late in the summer, Mathieu made an immediate impact with his experience, intelligence and versatility… He brings a calm authority and a competitive edge that strengthen our group on and off the field.”
LAFC Official Statement:
“We’re thrilled to welcome him to LAFC as we strengthen our roster in pursuit of more trophies.”
Mathieu Choinière on His World Cup Debut:
“Excitement, enthusiasm, and win.”
Where Next?
Mathieu Choinière is 27 years old and has secured his future at LAFC through the 2028 season with an option for 2029. He has established himself as a key player for the club and a reliable option for the Canadian national team. His World Cup experience will only add to his value.
For Canada, Choinière represents depth and versatility in midfield. With 23 caps and a World Cup campaign to his name, he is an established international. His ability to play across the midfield makes him a valuable asset for Jesse Marsch.
From Saint-Alexandre to Montreal, from Zurich to Los Angeles, and from the CF Montréal academy to the World Cup, Mathieu Choinière’s journey is a story of resilience, family, and quiet achievement. The boy from a town of 2,722 people is now a World Cup player—and the number 6 he wears will always remind him of the son watching from home.
