Alphonso Davies has been named to Canada’s World Cup roster, but his availability for the opening match remains uncertain due to a hamstring injury sustained earlier this month during the Champions League semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain.
As captain of the Canadian national team, Davies is a key player alongside notable teammates such as Jonathan David of Juventus, Cyle Larin from Southampton, and Villarreal’s Tajon Buchanan.
Team Composition
Head Coach Jesse Marsh has assembled a balanced squad of 26 players, which includes nine defenders, ten midfielders, four forwards, and three goalkeepers. The tournament kicks off on June 11.
Earlier this week, Marsh included Davies in a broader 32-man training camp roster; however, the defender remained in Germany to focus on his recovery instead of traveling with the team immediately.
The Canadian squad trained in Charlotte, North Carolina, last week in preparation for upcoming friendly matches against Uzbekistan in Edmonton on Monday and Ireland on June 5 in Montreal.
Co-hosting the World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, Canada has been placed in Group B, competing against Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the latter of which notably eliminated Italy from European qualifying playoffs.
All three group-stage matches will take place on Canadian soil. With the national team ranked 30th globally, their campaign commences against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.
This World Cup marks Canada’s third appearance, following previous showings in 1986 and 2022. Despite a historical absence from the knockout stages, Davies notably scored his first World Cup goal during a 4-1 defeat to Croatia in Qatar.
Several players are making their return from injury as well, including forward Promise David, who underwent hip surgery for a torn tendon in February, and defender Moises Bonvito, who has not featured for the national team since breaking his foot in an October match against Monaco.
Midfielder Jakob Schaffelburg is also included despite suffering a hamstring injury earlier this month.
In goal, Manager Marsh has yet to announce a starter between Maxime Crepeau and Dane St. Clair, with both goalkeepers set to compete in an upcoming friendly before a final decision is made.
During the team announcement, Crepeau expressed confidence, stating, “We know what’s going to happen in terms of decisions and we’re mature enough to understand our role on the team no matter what.” He emphasized the importance of team unity on and off the field.
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Canada’s final World Cup squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Barnsley), Dane St. Clair (Inter Miami).
Defenders: Moises Bonvito (Nice), Derek Cornelius (Rangers), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Luc de Fougerolles (Dender EH), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Nico Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (LAFC), Stephen Eustaquio (LAFC), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Liam Miller (Hull City), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), Nathan Dylan Saliba (Anderlecht), Jakob Schaffelburg (LAFC).
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Promise David (Royal Union Saint-Gilloise), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal).
