VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canada captain Alphonso Davies will be available to play on Thursday against Qatar after he missed his team's World Cup opener while recovering from a hamstring injury, coach Jesse Marsch said.
The left back was injured last month while playing for Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals.
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Canada's Alphonso Davies works out during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Alphonso Davies, middle, works out during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Alphonso Davies works out during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Alphonso Davies walks across the field during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
In an open practice earlier this week, Davies was limited in training and was still in the return-to-play protocol.
“He's been in training this week, and he'll be available tomorrow, and we'll see how the match goes and then make a decision on how we would choose to use him,” March said Wednesday evening.
Davies has not played for Canada since March 2025, when he tore an ACL in the CONCACAF Nations League finals. He has 15 goals in 58 international appearances.
“We've worked really well through this, and Alphonso is looking really good,” Marsch said. “So it's just a matter of, OK, what kind of game is it, what kind of moment is it, and how do we feel Alphonso can contribute right now? But he's ready, he'll be available.”
Marsch also said center back Moïse Bombito would be available after missing Canada's opening World Cup match, a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday in Toronto. Late substitute Cyle Larin scored the equalizer in the 78th minute.
Bombito broke his leg in October while playing for Nice. He played in a World Cup tuneup against Uzbekistan on June 1, but was subbed out after about 30 minutes and was later seen icing his lower leg.
Defender Alfie Jones has been ruled out of the match against Qatar after a setback in his recovery from ankle surgery. He did not train on Wednesday.
Qatar pulled off a 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday in Santa Clara, California. Boualem Khoukhi scored for Qatar in stoppage time for the nation’s first-ever World Cup point.
All four teams in Group B had one point heading into their second matches.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Canada's Alphonso Davies works out during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Alphonso Davies, middle, works out during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Alphonso Davies works out during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Alphonso Davies walks across the field during a training session on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canada is ready to set aside its reputation for politeness, at least during the World Cup.
With a chance to make history at home, after decades of World Cup disappointment, Canada’s players are talking less about manners and more about mentality.
“I don’t think it’s always a bad thing to play with arrogance,” midfielder Niko Sigur said. “I think we’re at our best when we play with that swagger.”
Canada opened Group B play with a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, earning the country's first World Cup point. On Thursday against Qatar, Canada will be seeking its first victory.
“I think if we’re at our best and we’re all together, including guys off the bench and the starters,” Sigur said, “that we can give them a lot of trouble.”
Short-handed Canada also got a boost Wednesday when coach Jesse Marsch said captain Alphonso Davies would be available after missing the opener because of a hamstring injury.
“We’ll see how the match goes and then make a decision on how we would choose to use him,” Marsch said of Davies, who was Canada's lone World Cup goal scorer before Cyle Larin found the net last week.
Forward Promise David is recovering from a hip injury and Marcelo Flores, one of Canada's top performers during qualifying, was ruled out of the tournament in May with a knee injury.
Defender Moïse Bombito, who suffered a broken leg in October, also will be available Thursday, Marsch said. However, fellow defender Alfie Jones will be sidelined after a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury.
The injuries have created opportunities for others, including Jayden Nelson, who replaced Flores on the roster after netting a stoppage-time goal against Uzbekistan earlier this month.
“We know we have the weapons” needed to win, midfielder Stephen Eustáquio said.
That confidence has become a recurring theme for Canada. Rather than focusing on the pressure of hosting, players have embraced the moment.
“You could use the word ‘pressure,’” defender Richie Laryea said. “I think we could use the word ‘ready.’”
Laryea’s perspective reflects the attitude Marsch has tried to establish since taking the job. Canada has become known for its high-intensity pressing system and willingness to challenge opponents physically.
“We’re always on the front foot,” Laryea said. “I think that coincides pretty well with getting in people’s faces.”
Yet players understand there is a fine line between playing with an edge and going too far.
Defenders Luc de Fougerolles and Alistair Johnston each carry yellow cards into the Qatar match. If teams finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored — which is where all four teams in Group B stood entering Thursday — FIFA’s fair-play system acts as a tiebreaker, meaning disciplinary records could influence who advances from the group.
Four years ago, Qatar became the first host country to lose all three group matches. But after watching Qatar’s opening 1-1 draw against Switzerland, Sigur said Qatar should be taken seriously, pointing to its focus across 90 minutes.
“It’s the World Cup,” forward Ali Ahmed said. “You can’t play this game on paper.”
More than 50,000 fans are expected at BC Place for a match that could become one of the most significant in Canadian soccer history, and players have repeatedly referenced the energy they hope Vancouver can provide.
“I think losing my voice will be a good call,” said Canada fan Adam Lovell, a member of a supporters' club called The Voyageurs. “I’ll try to set the tone with the fan culture.”
Eustáquio is aiming for an aggressive start fueled by a sense of urgency to give the home crowd something to cheer.
“Hopefully,” Eustáquio said, “that takes out the little bit of power that Qatar has.”
He knows this is no time to be polite.
Drew Renner is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch kicks a ball before a FIFA World Cup soccer training session, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, back left, kicks a ball during a FIFA World Cup soccer training session, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Ali Ahmed, left and teammate Canada's Promise David speak to referee Facundo Tello during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Bosnia in Toronto, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Canada's Stephen Eustaquio, left, and Luc de Fougerolles, middle, work out during a training session on the eve of the team's FIFA World Cup soccer match against Qatar, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Niko Sigur, center, works out during a training session during the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, Monday, June 15, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
