The Canadian Men’s National Team received mixed injury news less than 24 hours before their 2026 World Cup debut. While superstar Alphonso Davies has been officially ruled out for the opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, defender Moïse Bombito will remain on the roster and could see minutes in Toronto.

The squad update was confirmed by head coach Jesse Marsch during his pre-match press conference ahead of Canada’s opening match in the tournament, which they are co-hosting alongside the United States and Mexico.

Alphonso Davies ruled out for the opener

Davies’ availability had been one of the biggest question marks surrounding the team over the last few weeks. The Canadian captain is still recovering from a muscle injury sustained with Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League semifinals and ultimately will not be available for the tournament opener.

While the news is a significant blow to the team, the coaching staff remains optimistic about his recovery timeline.

Marsch explained that recent medical scans show favorable progress and that the left-back is advancing exactly as scheduled. While the manager avoided setting an exact date for his return, he left the door open for Davies to feature later in the group stage. Since arriving at Canada’s training camp, Davies has been working individually under the supervision of rehabilitation specialists, following a coordinated plan between Canada Soccer, the player, and Bayern Munich.

Bombito gets the green light

The silver lining for Canada comes in the form of Moïse Bombito. The OGC Nice defender, who has also been racing against the clock to make the World Cup after suffering a fractured tibia last October, was officially included in the final 26-man roster and is available to face Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bombito had sparked injury concerns after aggravating a physical issue during a recent friendly against Uzbekistan, but his rapid recovery over the last few days convinced the coaching staff to keep him in the squad.

Although he is still not at 100% fitness, Marsch assured that the center-back has shown steady progress and could even be considered for a larger role as the tournament progresses.

Canada finalizes preparations for historic debut

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With Davies sidelined and Bombito gaining ground, Canada wrapped up its final training session ahead of the opening match on June 12 in Toronto.

The Canadians will look to kick off Group B play with a victory before moving on to face Qatar and Switzerland in their fight for a spot in the knockout stage. While the country eagerly awaits the return of its biggest star, the rest of the roster carries the responsibility of stepping into the spotlight on a historic night for Canadian soccer.