Canada's John Davison made his name at the 2003 World Cup

The competition was set up to provide first-class experience for non-Test nations and 12 teams are taking part across four continents.

The three-day game will take place 160 years after the USA and Canada first met in New York.

"Canada is always a challenge for us," said US skipper Richard Staple.

"On this occasion, they will have a more experienced and rounded complement of players than they had when we last played in Sharjah in March.

USA v CANADA 24-25 Sept 1844 Canada 82 & 63 USA 64 &58 Canada won by 23 runs

"There is now a little more focus on us because of our recent results so we will have to be ready phsyically and mentally to play and win."

The USA won the ICC Six Nations Challenge earlier this year which earned them a place in the Champions Trophy to be played in England in September.

But the three-day format offers a different challenge for players who have only limited contact outside international competitions because of the regional nature of US cricket.

Canada will be led by all-rounder John Davison, who made a name for himself at last year's World Cup in South Africa when he hit 111 off 76 balls against West Indies.

The USA's Clayton Lambert once hit a Test hundred against England

He still plays first-class cricket for South Australia, but to counter his threat, the USA can call on former West Indies Test batsman Clayton Lambert.

"The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a great concept which I am sure will provide some fantastic cricket and the fact the matches have been granted first-class status by the ICC makes them particularly important.

"I am looking forward to an extremely competitive match against a cricket nation that is obviously moving in the right direction," said Davison.

The Intercontinental Cup features four first round groups - the USA and Canada will also play Bermuda.

Nepal drew with the United Arab Emirates in March, but the following month defeated Malaysia by nine wickets.

The only other game played so far saw Uganda beat Namibia by five wickets to head the African group table.

The competition will culminate with semi-finals and a final to be played in the UAE in November.

USA (from): R Staple (capt), N Javed, R Alexander, S Massiah, C Lambert, C Reid, Z Amin, J Desai, H Johnson, D Blake, A Ali, M Johnson.