Alphonso Davies has been included in Canada's squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, despite concerns regarding a hamstring injury that may affect his availability for the team's opening match. The defender, who plays for Bayern Munich, sustained the injury during a Champions League semifinal loss to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.

Davies and Key Players

Davies, who is ranked No. 30 in the FIFA World Cup's Top 100 Players, serves as Canada's captain and is one of the standout names on the roster. He is joined by notable teammates such as Juventus forward Jonathan David, Southampton forward Cyle Larin, and Villarreal midfielder Tajon Buchanan. Coach Jesse Marsch has assembled a 26-player squad that includes nine defenders, ten midfielders, four forwards, and three goalkeepers.

Earlier this week, Davies was part of a preliminary 32-player training camp roster, but he has remained in Germany to focus on his recovery rather than joining the team in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they have been training ahead of two friendly matches against Uzbekistan and Ireland.

World Cup Context and Group Stage Matches

Canada is co-hosting the World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, and they find themselves in Group B with Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Canadian team will play all three of their group-stage matches at home, starting with a game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto.

This will be Canada's third appearance in the World Cup, having previously participated in 1986 and 2022, but they have yet to progress beyond the group stage. In their last outing, they finished last in their group in Qatar, although Davies managed to score the nation's first-ever World Cup goal in a match against Croatia.

In addition to Davies, other players returning from injuries include forward Promise David, who underwent hip surgery for a ruptured tendon, and defender Moise Bombito, who has not played for the national team since suffering a leg injury in October. Midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg also made the roster despite injuring his hamstring recently.

As the team prepares for the World Cup, Marsch has yet to announce a starting goalkeeper, with Maxime Crepeau and Dayne St. Clair both set to feature in the upcoming friendlies. Crepeau expressed confidence in their mutual understanding of their roles, stating, "We understand that we'll be here for one another and for the team on and off the field."