Canada’s hopes of launching their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a strong note have suffered a major setback, as star player Alphonso Davies has been officially ruled out due to injury.

According to Joshua Kloke of The Athletic, head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed on Wednesday that Davies will miss the clash against Bosnia & Herzegovina. The focus now shifts to when the Bayern Munich full-back might regain fitness during the summer tournament.

Speaking to the media in Toronto ahead of the opening fixture, Marsch said, “We conducted an MRI on (Davies) yesterday, and the results were very positive. It showed that he is recovering extremely well, almost fully.”

“We are preparing to step up his rehabilitation,” Marsch added. “He’s once again showing his remarkable ability to bounce back quickly from muscle injuries.”

When asked about the possibility of Davies featuring later in the group stage, Marsch sounded upbeat. “Having (Davies’) personal physiotherapist here has been a huge advantage, ensuring his body gets the attention it needs every single day.”

“We’re very hopeful that in the coming days and weeks, his recovery will accelerate enough to allow him to play a part soon,” Marsch said.

Davies’ absence has been keenly felt in the Canadian starting lineup, as he has managed to appear in only two of their last 21 matches due to an ACL tear and subsequent injuries.

📸 Francois Nel - 2026 Getty Images