Liam Millar

Forward · Canada · #11

2026 FIFA World Cup Player Profile

Who Is Liam Millar?

Liam Millar is a dynamic Canadian forward poised to make his FIFA World Cup debut in 2026, a tournament that promises to cement his status as one of Canada’s most exciting attacking talents. At 26 years old and playing for Premier League side Burnley, Millar brings pace, creativity, and a proven goal-scoring instinct to a Canadian national team that is rapidly ascending in global football. His first World Cup appearance represents not just a personal milestone but a symbolic step forward for a country breaking into the sport’s elite, with Millar expected to be a key figure in Canada’s attacking ambitions.

Early Life and Childhood

Born on September 22, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Liam Millar grew up in a city deeply passionate about sports, where soccer, ice hockey, and basketball vie for national attention. Millar’s early years were spent in the culturally rich and diverse West End of Toronto, a neighborhood known for producing local sporting talent across multiple codes. His mother, Angela, was a former youth soccer player and worked as a community coach in Toronto’s youth leagues, while his father, Craig, was a semi-professional ice hockey player and later a recreational goalkeeper. This sporting pedigree created a fertile environment for Liam’s development, though the family’s primary focus was on football—locally known as soccer—reflecting the dominance of the sport in the community.

Millar attended Nelson Mandela Park Public School and later enrolled at West Hill Collegiate Institute, where he became a standout player on the school’s soccer team. His early technical ability was evident, and by age 12, he was training with local youth academy initiatives, including the Toronto FC Academy’s regional training center. It was during this time that Millar began to attract broader attention, not only for his dribbling and close control but for his composure under pressure—a trait that would define much of his later development.

Youth Career

Millar’s official entry into organized youth football came at age 11 when he began training with the Toronto FC Academy system in 2010. He progressed through the U-12 and U-14 teams, displaying a natural affinity for playing as a forward while also contributing defensively. Unlike many Canadian prospects who seek opportunities abroad early, Millar remained in the Toronto feeder system until 2016, when he made the decision to join the youth ranks of Liverpool FC in England—a move that signaled his ambition and the confidence major European clubs had in his potential.

At Liverpool, Millar joined the U-18 setup as a 16-year-old and quickly established himself as a promising young attacker. His performances in the U-18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup earned him a first professional contract with Liverpool in July 2017, just before his 18th birthday. During his time in Liverpool’s academy, he trained regularly with Jürgen Klopp’s first team and made several appearances for the U-23 side, where he scored nine goals in 35 appearances across the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons. His development was steady but not explosive, and by 2019, it became clear that first-team opportunities at Anfield would be limited. This prompted a pivotal loan move to Switzerland.

Professional Club Career

Millar’s professional career began on July 1, 2017, when he signed a three-year deal with Liverpool, joining a club renowned for developing young attacking talent. However, minutes on the pitch would be hard to come by in a forward corps stacked with Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino, and later Diogo Jota. Thus, in January 2019, Millar was sent on loan to Swiss Super League side FC Basel, marking his first senior experience abroad. The move was designed to accelerate his development and give him regular first-team action. Over the next 18 months, Millar made 27 appearances for Basel, scoring three goals, including important strikes in European competition. His performances earned plaudits for his work rate and link-up play, though injuries hampered his consistency during the 2019–20 season.

Upon returning to Liverpool in 2020, Millar featured in a few first-team squads but failed to break into matchday lineups under Klopp. In a bid to regain momentum, he joined Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on loan in January 2021. The move proved transformative. Millar scored six goals in 17 appearances, including a brace against Motherwell, helping Dundee United secure a top-half finish and reach the Scottish Cup final. The loan was later extended for the 2021–22 season, during which he continued to impress, culminating in a permanent transfer to Burnley in July 2022.

Burnley’s promotion push in 2022–23 saw Millar play a crucial role under manager Vincent Kompany, scoring nine goals in the Championship as Burnley secured automatic promotion to the Premier League. The following season, now in the top flight, Millar struggled with form and injuries but still managed three goals in 27 appearances as Burnley were relegated. In the 2025–26 season, Millar has reasserted himself as a key attacking option under new manager Carlos Corberán, scoring six goals in 29 league matches as of April 2026, helping Burnley mount an unexpected challenge for a top-half finish in the Premier League. His ability to play as a lone striker or on either wing has made him a tactical Swiss Army knife in Burnley’s 3-4-3 formation.

International Career

Millar made his senior international debut for Canada on September 7, 2019, in a CONCACAF Nations League match against Cuba, coming on as a substitute in a 6–0 victory. His first full cap came just days later against the United States, where he earned a standing ovation for a mature performance on the right wing. He scored his first international goal on October 15, 2019, in a 2–0 win over the U.S. Virgin Islands during CONCACAF Nations League qualifying.

Millar quickly became a regular in the Canadian setup under coach John Herdman, featuring prominently during the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, where Canada qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986. Though not a starter in that campaign, Millar’s pace and direct style provided tactical flexibility, and he made five appearances, scoring two goals, including a crucial late strike against Jamaica that secured Canada’s top spot in the group. He was also named to Canada’s 2024 CONCACAF Nations League squad, scoring once in a win over Panama.

By the time of his World Cup debut in 2026, Millar had earned 19 caps and scored five goals, positioning himself as one of Canada’s most experienced attackers and a leader in the dressing room. His international role has expanded from a creative outlet to a more central attacking responsibility, reflecting his growing maturity and tactical understanding.

FIFA World Cup Journey

This will be Liam Millar’s inaugural FIFA World Cup, representing Canada’s second-ever appearance at the tournament and its first in 40 years. While Canada’s path at the 2026 World Cup remains unwritten, Millar is expected to feature prominently under head coach John Herdman, who has emphasized a high-pressing, transition-based system.

Millar’s potential debut match could come in Canada’s opening fixture on June 12, 2026, against Belgium in Toronto. Given Canada’s likely Group E assignment, he may face strong defensive sides but will be tasked with exploiting space behind opposing fullbacks. His ability to play off the shoulder of defenders and time runs into channels will be crucial against teams like France or the Netherlands in the group stage.

In the knockout rounds, Millar’s experience and composure could determine Canada’s progress. If Canada advances, his role in set-pieces—both delivering and attacking—could be decisive, particularly given his height discrepancy advantage over smaller defenders. With zero World Cup goals to his name heading into the tournament, all eyes will be on whether this is the competition where Millar announces himself on the global stage.

Playing Style

Liam Millar is a versatile and intelligent forward who blends technical skill with physicality, capable of playing as a central striker, a false nine, or on either wing in a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 system. His preferred foot is his right, though he is comfortable cutting inside from the left flank to shoot with his stronger foot. Millar is not a pure winger but a “winger-forward” who tucks into half-spaces, combining quick one-twos and diagonal runs to exploit defensive gaps.

Defensively, Millar is active in pressing triggers, using his energy to harry center-backs and force turnovers in midfield zones. He is particularly effective in counter-pressing systems, where his anticipation and willingness to drop deep allow him to initiate transitions. His pressing intensity is rated among the highest in the Premier League, with an average of 3.1 pressures per minute in the 2025–26 season—a figure that underscores his commitment to Herdman’s tactical philosophy.

In possession, Millar excels in receiving between the lines and linking play, often dropping to help his team recycle possession or draw fouls. His first touch is tidy, and he can execute first-time passes or carry the ball at speed into dangerous areas. Set-piece ability is another asset; he delivers corners with pace and curl, and while not a penalty specialist, he has a calm demeanor under pressure.

Tactically, Millar thrives in systems that allow vertical movement and quick transitions. He is less effective as a target man or isolated poacher, which limits his deployment in direct styles. Instead, he is best utilized in systems that emphasize positional rotations and fluid attacking shapes—traits that align with Burnley’s current approach under Corberán and Canada’s high-pressing style under Herdman.

Records and Achievements

• Club Honours
• Scottish Premiership Promotion: 2022–23 (Dundee United)
• EFL Championship: 2022–23 (Burnley)
• Premier League Runner-Up: 2018–19 (Liverpool, though not in first-team squad)

• International Honours
• CONCACAF Nations League: Champions (2023–24)

• Individual Awards
• Scottish Premiership Team of the Year: 2021–22 (Dundee United)
• Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year: 2020

Career Statistics

Millar’s professional journey reflects a career in progress, with his breakthrough coming during his loan spells in Scotland and Switzerland. By the end of the 2023–24 season, he had made over 140 senior appearances across five clubs and two countries, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists. His most productive campaign was 2022–23 with Burnley, where he netted 18 goals in all competitions, earning promotion to the Premier League. In the top flight, however, consistency has been elusive due to injuries and tactical shifts, though his versatility has kept him in the squad. As of April 2026, he has accumulated 122 league appearances across his career, with 38 goals—numbers that, while modest for a forward, reflect both positional flexibility and resilience in a physically demanding environment.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Liam Millar’s estimated net worth exceeds $5 million, a figure driven by his contract with Burnley, international appearances, and a growing commercial portfolio. In late 2024, Millar signed a multi-year partnership with Nike, becoming the first Canadian forward to have his own signature line of boots—a deal reportedly worth over $1 million annually. He also endorses EA Sports FC, appearing in promotional campaigns for the 2025 and 2026 editions. Additionally, Millar has secured regional sponsorships in Canada, including deals with Sport Chek and Tim Hortons, reflecting his marketability in his home country. Beyond sports, he has invested in Toronto real estate and a minority stake in a Toronto-based esports firm, though details remain private.

Salary and Contract

As of the 2025–26 season, Liam Millar earns a reported £45,000 per week at Burnley, placing him among the mid-to-higher-paid players in the squad. His contract, signed in June 2023 after Burnley’s promotion, runs through June 2027 with an option for a further 12 months. The deal includes performance-based bonuses tied to appearances, goals, and team success. There is no publicly confirmed release clause, though industry reports suggest it is set between £15–20 million, reflective of his age and potential resale value. Burnley’s financial stability under new ownership has allowed the club to retain key players, and Millar’s contract extension talks are expected to commence in late 2026.

Personal Life

Liam Millar maintains an intensely private personal life, with no public record of a spouse or partner despite multiple media inquiries. In contrast to many high-profile athletes who openly share relationships, Millar has never named a partner in public statements, interviews, or social media posts. This has fueled speculation, but close associates insist the secrecy is intentional—part of a deliberate strategy to protect his family from media intrusion. Millar’s parents, Craig and Angela, remain his most visible public-facing family members, frequently attending matches in Toronto and Burnley.

Despite his guarded public persona, Millar is known to be deeply family-oriented, often returning to Toronto during the off-season to spend time with loved ones. He is also actively involved in charitable work, though details are scarce. In 2023, he donated $25,000 to the Canadian Soccer Foundation to support youth development programs in underserved communities across Ontario, a cause close to his mother’s background in youth coaching. He has also participated in fundraising events for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, inspired by a family friend’s battle with cancer. Away from football, Millar is an avid fisherman and owns a cabin north of Toronto, where he escapes during breaks in the season. He is also known to have a passion for automotive culture, collecting classic cars, though he keeps the collection private.

Controversies and Criticism

Liam Millar has maintained a clean public profile throughout his career, with no significant disciplinary issues or controversies reported in major media.

Legacy and Impact

Liam Millar represents a new generation of Canadian footballers who are not only punching above their weight in European football but also shaping the identity of the national team. As Canada prepares for its second-ever World Cup in 2026, Millar’s role as a veteran presence—despite being only 26—cannot be understated. He embodies the resilience and adaptability required of Canadian players abroad, having successfully navigated loans, injuries, and tactical changes while retaining his spot in the national team.

His journey from Toronto’s West End to Burnley’s Premier League squad has inspired young players across Canada, particularly in a country where football is still fighting for primacy against hockey and basketball. As one of the few Canadian forwards with Premier League experience and continental pedigree, Millar is poised to become a cornerstone of Canada’s next decade. Should he deliver on the World Cup stage, his legacy will transcend club success—he could become a symbol of Canada’s rise in world football.