Alphonso Davies Named to Canada's World Cup Squad Despite Hamstring Injury Doubt

Canada captain and Bayern Munich star **Alphonso Davies** has been included in Jesse Marsch's final 26-man World Cup squad despite a hamstring injury that leaves his availability for the opening match in serious doubt.

Davies picked up the injury earlier this month in Bayern's Champions League semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Rather than risk losing his most important player entirely, Marsch has kept him in the squad and is betting on a recovery during the tournament. Davies remained in Germany to continue rehabilitation rather than immediately joining the national team camp.

"I expect him to play some part at this World Cup," Marsch said, while acknowledging it is "too soon to tell" whether his captain will be fit for Canada's opener against **Bosnia & Herzegovina on June 12**. The coach included Davies on the expanded 32-player training roster before trimming to the final 26, signaling clear intent to give the recovery every possible chance.

Davies is Canada's talisman — a player whose pace and attacking output from left-back transform the team's ceiling. As co-hosts, Canada carry a weight of expectation never before placed on their men's program, and the prospect of opening without their best player is a significant blow. Even a partially fit Davies entering in the group stage could be decisive.

Marsch's squad selection reflects a broader tournament reality: managers are increasingly willing to carry injured stars in the hope they round into form mid-tournament. For Canada, the calculus is simple — a fully healthy Davies in the knockout rounds is worth far more than the certainty of a replacement in the group stage.