Canada's coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that captain Alphonso Davies is fully fit for the upcoming last‑32 match against South Africa, a welcome development after the left hamstring injury he sustained during Bayern Munich's Champions League semi‑final.
Davies had initially hoped to feature in Canada's final Group B game versus Switzerland, but the coaching staff advised him to wait, a decision that reflects a broader strategy to manage key players such as defender Moise Bombito, who is also match‑ready after recovering from a broken leg sustained last October.
The match will be played on U.S. soil, marking Canada's first appearance on American ground in this tournament, and comes amid high expectations for the co‑hosts, even though Mexico and the United States have posted stronger group‑stage results.
South Africa enters the clash after a 1‑0 victory over South Korea, adding momentum to their campaign, while Canada's recent group‑stage performances have been a mixed bag of a draw, a win and a loss.
A timely boost
Marsch emphasized that the return of both Davies and Bombito not only strengthens the defensive line but also injects confidence into a squad eager to make an impact in the knockout stage.
Prime Minister Mark Carney attended several matches in Canada, where he witnessed the enthusiastic support that left Davies visibly moved.