Alphonso Davies is ready to take the field with Canada in the knockout match against South Africa. Coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that the player is back in shape after a period of injuries.
Alphonso Davies will be available for Canada's match against South Africa on Sunday, which will mark the start of the World Cup knockout rounds. Canadian coach Jesse Marsch confirmed on Saturday that the team captain is ready to play. Marsch revealed that during the group stage he used Davies as a gimmick, forcing opposing teams to plan on a player who was not yet fully recovered from a tendon injury.
“Now that Alphonso is back in shape and ready to perform, I think it's a great moment for the team and an important support for the group,” Marsch said. "In general, all the players who came to training camp with minor injuries are now close to 100% and ready to give their all in these matches."
While Davies was technically available for the final two matches, his presence had been kept in doubt as a precaution given his injury history, with three muscle tears in the last four months, including one suffered in the Champions League semi-finals last month.
“Telling our best player that we had to wait was painful,” Marsch said. “But we did what was best for Alphonso and his career, and now we can have a plan that will get him back on the field.” Davies scored Canada's first World Cup goal four years ago and was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to host the tournament. He was disappointed not to be able to attend the three home games in Toronto and Vancouver. Despite the precautions, he tried to convince Marsch to let him play a few minutes in the decisive defeat against Switzerland.
“Obviously, it was painful,” Davies said. "The only thing you want to do is play football. It's my true passion. Watching the first game, I was eager to get on the field. In the second, even more so. Before the third game, I went up to him and asked him: 'Do you think he can play a few minutes?'"
Marsch did not confirm whether Davies will start or how many minutes he will play against South Africa as Canada seeks its first knockout win. This is Canada's third World Cup appearance, and instead of staying in Vancouver for the round, the loss to Switzerland forced the team to relocate to the Los Angeles area. Davies previously played at this innovative stadium during the CONCACAF Nations League tournament final in March 2025, where he saw Canada beat the United States 2-1, but he also suffered an injury that kept him off the field until December.
“It could have happened anywhere,” Davies said. "Returning to this stadium means finishing something that I started a year ago in March. I really like playing here. The first time was beautiful, but it was interrupted, but it happens. This is football.",
Lucas Bergvall has expressed his intention to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, seeking a new challenge as he represents Sweden at the World Cup. His role in the team has diminished under recent management changes, and there is strong interest in him across Europe.
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