World Cup 2026: Davies misses Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina

Alphonso Davies will definitely not be available for Canada’s World Cup opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

National coach Jesse Marsch confirmed this ahead of the host nation’s first group game, while also delivering a positive update on the Bayern Munich star’s recovery timeline.

The left-back is still battling a muscle bundle tear in his upper thigh, which he suffered in early May. An appearance in Friday evening’s match is still too early for him. However, according to Marsch, a recently performed MRI examination showed “very positive signs,” indicating the injury is nearly healed.

Davies is currently working intensively on his comeback and is expected to further increase his training workload in the coming days. Marsch expressed optimism that Canada’s national team captain could be available again later in the group phase. “We are very hopeful that we can accelerate things over the next few days and week and give him a chance to be there soon,” the coach explained.

After his cruciate ligament rupture in March 2025, Davies was repeatedly hampered by muscle injuries during his comeback attempts. This makes the hope even greater that the Bayern professional can still make an impact at the home World Cup.

As one of the co-hosts alongside the USA and Mexico, Canada will open their campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on Friday evening. The match carries special significance for the host nation, with the entire country eager to see their team compete on home soil. Canada have lost all six of their previous World Cup matches, but they will back themselves to end that run as they co-host the tournament.

Canada are the second-highest-ranked team in their group and won’t face Switzerland until the last matchday, so they could well seal a knockout spot in two games.

Without their captain and star player, Canada must rely on other members of the squad to deliver in this crucial opening encounter. The team has prepared extensively for this moment, knowing that a strong start in the group stage could set the tone for their entire tournament journey.

Marsch’s coaching staff has adjusted their tactical approach to account for Davies’ absence, ensuring the team remains competitive despite missing one of their most important players. The focus now shifts to getting Davies back as soon as possible for the remaining group matches, where his presence could prove vital for Canada’s chances of advancing to the knockout rounds.