Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds was in Toronto on Friday, 12 June, as Canada opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium.
Reynolds being spotted at a major international match was always going to draw attention. For Wrexham, the timing also mattered because Phil Parkinson had already made clear that the club are watching players at the tournament.
That gave the night a direct Wrexham angle for supporters back home. Reynolds was there to support Canada, but it came as the club continue to shape an important Championship summer.
Parkinson has made Wrexham’s World Cup position clear
Wrexham finished seventh in the Championship last season and are now looking to strengthen again. Speaking ahead of Canada’s opener, Parkinson said: “We’ve got a few players on our radar who are in the World Cup.”
He added: “It is a case of monitoring them while they are over there in the United States.” That approach fits with the steady recruitment work that has helped Phil Parkinson guide Wrexham into the Championship picture.
Wrexham are not chasing big names for the sake of it. Parkinson also pointed to Liberato Cacace as proof that the club are open to overseas markets when the fit is right.
“We obviously touched into the foreign market with Libby Cacace last year and, of course, we are always looking at a player we feel can improve what we have got, whatever country they play for.”
Cacace joined Wrexham from Empoli in July 2025 on a three-year deal, a move confirmed by Wrexham AFC. It remains a useful reference point as the club assess different leagues against the demands of the Championship.
Reynolds watched Canada make history in Toronto
Canada fell behind to Jovo Lukic’s first-half header before Cyle Larin equalised late on giving Canada their first World Cup point after seven matches at the finals.
The occasion also underlined the scale of the tournament. Alongside Reynolds, Mike Myers and Connor McDavid were among 43,002 fans at BMO Field.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch focused on giving the country a team to be proud of. That message will not be lost on supporters who have watched Ryan Reynolds help change Wrexham’s profile.
Wrexham’s summer now has a wider lens
Wrexham’s league position gives added weight to their recruitment plans. The Championship table showed how close Parkinson’s side came to the play-offs.
The next step is about more than ambition. It is about finding players who can improve the squad, settle quickly, and handle the standard at the Racecourse.
The wider profile built through Welcome to Wrexham has helped the club become part of a bigger football conversation. Reynolds’ broader sporting influence was also reflected when the Wrexham co-chairman earned major recognition this year.
For Reynolds, the night in Toronto was about supporting Canada. For Wrexham, it also came at a moment when the club’s World Cup scouting plans feel relevant, realistic, and worth watching.
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Many Canadian players are now making an impact. About two years ago, I had a list of Canadian players who could be available and would not cost a great deal, and would help Wrexham. Ali Ahmed, now with Norwich City. Kyle Larin of Southampton, Tajon Buchanan, who was sold by Juventus to Villa Real, and plays with fellow Canadian Tani Oluwaseyi. Owen Goodman is on loan to Barnsley from Crystal Palace. Luc de Fougerolles from Fulham, Alfie Jones from Middlesbrough. There are others plying their trade in North America and elsewhere who could help Wrexham. Who knows, maybe this World Cup will bring more attention to Canadian talent than before.