Bombito available – Captain Alphonso Davies has been ruled out for Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, but coach Jesse Marsch says Moïse Bombito is available and could be used if needed—though the defender is not at full match fitness after a broken l
Canada’s World Cup opener is set for Friday afternoon in Toronto, and the team’s midfield-freezing uncertainty has a clear answer at the center of it: Alphonso Davies will not play.
Coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that the captain is unavailable for the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. with an injured hamstring keeping him out. Davies was expected to miss the game as he recovers, but he was not officially ruled out until Thursday. Marsch said Davies is progressing well after an MRI on Wednesday showed “very positive signs,” with healing “almost completely.”.
That healing progress has not turned into Friday availability. Marsch said Davies will not be in the lineup. though he pointed to how efficiently the Bayern Munich left back has returned from muscle injuries in the past. He also credited the fact that Davies has had his private physio on site. adding that Canada is aiming to “ramp things up” in the days ahead to give him a chance to contribute soon.
For Canada’s defense, though, the news is steadier—just not perfect.
Moïse Bombito is available, and Marsch gave a clear pathway for his involvement against Bosnia. The defender had been a question mark right up until the 26-man roster deadline. with recovery from a broken leg still showing “struggles” earlier this week. But Bombito was named to Canada’s 26-man World Cup roster, and Marsch said he could play “if needed.”.
“He’ll be ready to contribute (Friday),” Marsch said. “He’s not fully at 100 per cent, but he’s reached his top speed. He’s shown in training that every day he’s getting stronger and better, and can focus more on football behaviours. I don’t see any reason by a week from now that he’s not ready to even be considered as a starter.”.
Marsch set the standard for what Canada will try to do with Bombito next: get him to full speed and full football rhythms. “The goal is ‘to get (Bombito) to 100 per cent.’” He added that even if the defender only reaches 90 or 95 per cent, he’s still “a pretty damn good player.”
Bombito’s own road back has been visible in the details. He fractured his left tibia playing for OGC Nice in October, and has been working his way back ever since. Before the tournament. the 26-year-old defender from Montreal was emphatic at Canada’s training camp last month that he would be ready for the opener—saying on May 27 in Charlotte. N.C. “The fact that I’m here with the national team. playing. running. that means that I’ve made a lot of progress. I’ve just got to keep building on that.”.
That confidence wasn’t a myth. Bombito appeared in Canada’s friendly against Uzbekistan on June 1, where the squad won 2-0; he logged 31 minutes. After leaving the field. he was spotted icing the injured leg—an image that reflected Marsch’s later description of lingering issues. Marsch said Bombito has experienced “sensitivity” from the recovery and would be given every chance to improve.
Marsch also used Canada’s June 5 friendly in Montreal as another reference point: Bombito was available off the bench. but Luc de Fougerolles filled his spot in the starting lineup when Canada faced Ireland. The decision reflects exactly how close Bombito had been to game-time readiness—and how carefully Canada had been managing his workload.
There’s a wider injury timeline behind the roster shape, too. Marsch had until Thursday afternoon—24 hours before Canada’s opener—to replace any seriously ill or injured players. He had already replaced midfielder Marcelo Flores, who will miss the tournament after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on May 30. Winger Jayden Nelson was named to the roster in Flores’ absence.
For Canada’s supporters, Davies’ absence is the headline loss. For the team’s defensive stability, Bombito’s availability is the crucial shift that keeps the lineup options open. And for Bombito himself. the tournament opener is now within reach—if needed on Friday. with Marsch’s goal to push him all the way back to full speed as fast as the body will allow.
The timing matters because the captain is out. and the man tasked with holding the defensive line has been fighting to return. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. the Bayern Munich left back’s talent shone through—Bombito. however. etched his own moment there by scoring Canada’s first ever World Cup goal. Whether Bombito steps in immediately or comes on later. Marsch’s message is unmistakable: Canada is ready to use him. even if he still isn’t at “100 per cent.”.
Canada World Cup Bosnia-Herzegovina Jesse Marsch Alphonso Davies Moïse Bombito Toronto injury update Bayern Munich OGC Nice