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Sam Tighe
Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch stated that star player Alphonso Davies is eager to return to the field and play a pivotal role in the upcoming 2026 World Cup after recovering from a prolonged injury last year.
At 25, Davies is recognized as one of the fastest players globally but faced a setback when he tore a ligament and incurred further damage to his right knee during a match against the United States in the Concacaf Nations League third-place match in March.
After a nine-month hiatus, the left-back returned to action on December 9 with his club, Bayern Munich, in the UEFA Champions League. Marsch is optimistic about integrating him into Canada’s preparations for the World Cup this summer.
“Alphonso has gotten healthy before the winter break and played well in some matches,” he told ESPN. “Now, after a two-week break, he has a sort of new preseason to help him build back up.”
“This situation is ideal for getting him back to 100% without risking further injuries. We are keeping a close eye on all players who have dealt with long-term injuries to ensure a cautious return to play.”
“Alphonso is ready. If you talk to him, you can see he’s excited and mentally and physically revitalized. Often, when players return from long absences, they are just thrilled to be back on the pitch, and that’s definitely how he feels.”
Canada will face Guatemala in a friendly match on January 18, followed by unveiling their pre-tournament strategy. Marsch holds high hopes for the upcoming summer.
“With Alphonso just back and five of our key defenders injured, our tournament success will largely depend on our fitness,” he remarked. “However, we have an explosive team.”
“One of the reasons I came to Canada was the potential of this explosive team. I envisioned coaching a squad that matches my football philosophy. We know we will face challenges, but we have made significant progress, solidifying our identity and confidence as a team.”
“We believe we can perform well against strong opponents in this tournament.”
Nevertheless, Canada (ranked 27th in FIFA) faces a tough path, placed in a group alongside Switzerland (17), Qatar (54), and one of the UEFA playoff qualifiers (either Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Bosnia & Herzegovina).
“The big takeaway from the draw is that depending on which team comes through from Europe, we could end up with one of the toughest groups in the tournament,” Marsch pointed out. “The level of difficulty in these groups has shifted, so even the ‘group of death’ takes on new meaning with the new format.”
“If Italy advances, for instance, they would be viewed as a Pot One team; Switzerland as Pot Two, and Qatar as Pot Three. In this respect, we are almost treated like Pot Four, despite being a host nation,” he explained.
“While that’s not ideal, we are confident in our squad. The World Cup is never meant to be straightforward, regardless of the draw.”