Davies World Cup Return
Canada Coach Jesse Marsch Confirms Alphonso Davies Healthy and Ready for World Cup Match
Canada captain Alphonso Davies is finally set to return. Head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed on June 27 that Davies is "healthy and ready to perform" for Canada's Round of 32 clash against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to TSN. Marsch stopped short of saying whether Davies would start or how many minutes he would play.
Davies, 25, has not played a competitive match since May after tearing his hamstring in a UEFA Champions League semifinal with Bayern Munich. Canada advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in history — and they may finally have their best player back to help them go further, CityNews Toronto reported.
From Hamstring Tear to World Cup Knockout Stage
Davies suffered a significant hamstring strain on May 6 while playing for Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinals. Despite the injury, Marsch included him in Canada's 26-man World Cup roster on May 25, according to CityNews Winnipeg. Davies joined the national camp in Edmonton in early June but trained separately from the main group.
Canada played all three group-stage matches without Davies contributing a single minute. The team still impressed — drawing 1-1 with Bosnia, thrashing Qatar 6-0, and losing 2-1 to Switzerland. Those eight group-stage goals came entirely without their captain on the pitch, per CityNews Ottawa.
Marsch Admitted to Using Davies as a Decoy Against Switzerland
Before the Switzerland match on June 24, Marsch told reporters Davies was "ready" and that he "would like to get him into the match," according to TSN. Davies was listed on the bench. But he never played. Afterward, Marsch admitted Davies had not actually been ready and was used as a tactical "decoy" to make Switzerland prepare for him.
Marsch defended the move, saying, "This is not a friendly... We're going to do whatever we can as a group to make sure that we can get an edge." Not everyone bought it. Some analysts described the situation as "weird" and questioned whether the secrecy was truly tactical or simply a cover for a slower-than-expected recovery, per CityNews Montreal.
South Africa Ranked 54th — but Canada Must Now Play in Los Angeles
Canada enters the match as clear favorites. South Africa sits 54th in the FIFA world rankings, compared to Canada's 30th. Betting odds place Canada at -145 to win, while South Africa sit at +425, according to TSN. South Africa coach Hugo Broos is not backing down, saying, "My team will fight for 90 minutes, and longer if necessary."
By finishing second in Group B, Canada lost the right to play on home soil. Their Round of 32 match moves to Los Angeles instead of Vancouver, ending their run in front of Canadian fans for this stage. A win would send Canada to Houston on July 4 for the Round of 16, likely against the Netherlands or Morocco.
Davies' Fitness Risk Looms Large Over Canada's Tournament Run
If Davies plays significant minutes before he is fully fit, he risks re-injuring the hamstring. That would end his World Cup — and could affect his pre-season with Bayern Munich. The club and Davies' medical team have reportedly been aligned with Canada Soccer on his recovery, but Bayern's history of concern over national team injuries makes this a delicate balance, per CityNews Ottawa.
For now, Marsch is keeping his cards close. Davies himself said, "Whenever the coach sees fit to put me in, then I'm ready to go," according to TSN. Canada's captain is available. Whether Marsch starts him, subs him in, or uses him as a decoy again — the whole country will be watching.
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