The confusion is over: Bayern star Davies will play in the World Cup | OneFootball

Alphonso Davies has yet to play a single minute at the 2026 World Cup following his injury late in the season. This is partly because Jesse Marsch, the Canadian national team coach, has been playing it safe. However, the uncertainty is now coming to an end. 

Before the World Cup, Davies was gradually brought back into action, slowly but surely increasing his workload in training. He was definitely not ready to play in the first game, but after that he was back on the bench without seeing any action in the end.

Jesse Marsch initially announced hopes for a comeback in the second game, then in the third. Only to later say that Davies wasn’t ready yet. A gamble, then? Yes! Marsch openly admitted as much.

Davies is finally set to make his comeback

Canada, one of the co-hosts, is also the team that will kick off the knockout stage of this tournament against South Africa on Sunday at 9 p.m.

And this time, everything is different for Davies. “Alphonso is back and fit,” Marsch announced. He said the same thing before the Qatar game on the second matchday, but things have changed. This match is more important, and the player has had the opportunity in the meantime to get back into the swing of things. And Davies himself was also present at the press conference.

Photo: IMAGO

Immediately before a game, this is usually an indication that a player will actually see action.

Marsch Explains the Davies Bluff

Canada’s national team coach also explained once again the bluff involving the left-footed player. “We knew early on that he wouldn’t be able to play in the group stage,” Marsch revealed, “so we put him on the bench as a diversion.” The goal was to “take advantage of every possible edge.”

It’s now safe to assume that the poker game is finally over. Davies will most likely come off the bench as a substitute. And Canada’s best player—as Marsch has repeatedly emphasized—will still have a major impact on the game even then.