Alphonso Davies was named to Canada’s 26-player World Cup roster despite a hamstring injury, leaving uncertainty about his readiness for the team’s June 12 opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. Canada begins training in Charlotte ahead of matches a
When Canada captain Alphonso Davies’ hamstring tightened during the early-month Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, the worry wasn’t just physical. It was timing. Friday night, that timing became a question mark the team is now carrying into the World Cup.
Davies was named to Canada’s World Cup squad despite the injury, too soon, the situation suggests, to know whether he will be ready for the team’s opener. The defender, who plays for Bayern Munich, was hurt earlier this month in the semifinal loss to PSG.
For Canada, that decision lands alongside a wider injury reality among familiar faces. Coach Jesse Marsch included Davies in the team’s latest 32-player training camp roster earlier this week, but Davies did not immediately join the group. He stayed in Germany to continue his recovery.
Marsch named 26 players to the tournament roster for the World Cup, which opens on June 11. His selections include nine defenders, 10 midfielders, four forwards and three goalkeepers. Canada will train this past week in Charlotte. North Carolina. ahead of two preparation matches: against Uzbekistan on Monday in Edmonton and against Ireland on June 5 in Montreal.
The World Cup itself will bring Canada to home soil for its group-stage matches. Canada is co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Mexico and is in Group B with Switzerland. Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina. which eliminated Italy in the European playoffs. Canada’s first match is June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, with the team ranked No. 30 in the world.
Canada’s history in the tournament adds pressure to every decision. The team has appeared in the World Cup twice before. in Mexico 1986 and 2022. and has never advanced past the group stage. In Qatar four years ago. Canada finished at the bottom of its group. but Davies scored the nation’s first World Cup goal in a 4-1 loss to Croatia.
The squad also includes players coming off injuries with their club teams. Forward Promise David recently had hip surgery for a ruptured tendon in February. Defender Moise Bombito has not played for the national team since breaking his leg in a 2-2 draw with Monaco in October. Midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg also made the roster even after injuring his hamstring earlier this month.
Goalkeeping, meanwhile, remains an open question. Marsch has not named a starter between Maxime Crépeau and Dayne St. Clair. Both will play in the upcoming friendlies before Marsch makes a decision. Crépeau said on the Canadian television broadcast announcing the squad. “We know what’s coming in terms of a decision and we’re both mature enough to understand our role for the team. whatever the decision is. We understand that we’ll be here for one another and for the team on and off the field.”.
The roster, listed by position, includes:
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Barnsley), Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami).
Defenders: Moïse Bombito (Nice), Derek Cornelius (Rangers), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Luc de Fougerolles (Dender EH), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choinière (LAFC), Stephen Eustáquio (LAFC), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo), Liam Millar (Hull City), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), Nathan-Dylan Saliba (Anderlecht), Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC).
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Promise David (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal).
Alphonso Davies Canada World Cup squad Jesse Marsch Bayern Munich hamstring injury Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 Toronto Charlotte training camp Maxime Crepeau Dayne St. Clair
So they just put him on the roster anyway? That seems risky.
I didn’t even realize Canada was co-hosting. If he’s got a hamstring then why not wait? Also June 12 vs Bosnia is literally right around the corner, like come on.
Devil’s advocate… if it’s Bayern they’ll probably manage him. But hamstrings are always weird, like one day he’s fine the next he’s done. And the article says he didn’t join the camp right away so that already sounds like he’s not 100% for Toronto.
This is what happens when they rush stuff. I swear every year someone gets called up with an injury and then they blame the coach later. Also Charlotte training sounds random, like why not just stay in Canada if the opener is in Toronto? Bosnia… isn’t that the team that always surprises people or am I mixing that up with something else.