Alphonso Davies faces a race against time to be ready for the World Cup.
With just 33 days remaining before Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12, the team is grappling with a wave of injuries. The most alarming concerns Alphonso Davies’ hamstring injury, sustained during the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain. Watching the play, the Bayern Munich defender noticeably slowed down after a sprint late in the second half, raising questions about whether the effort contributed to the injury and if Davies had been pushing his limits after a string of injuries in 2025 and 2026.
Bayern has listed Davies’ absence as “several weeks,” with a recovery timeline of approximately five weeks. While that seems lengthy, sources indicate the injury is not as severe as initially feared. However, timelines can shift during recovery, and it remains unlikely that Davies will fully participate in Canada’s pre-tournament training camp. He is also not expected to feature in Canada’s first friendly against Uzbekistan in his hometown of Edmonton on June 1.
As for the World Cup itself, Davies’ entire tournament participation is not in doubt. However, expectations for his early involvement—especially against Bosnia—should be tempered. Canada benefits from long gaps between group stage matches, with a full 12 days between the opener and the decisive final group game. This provides crucial recovery time, which Canada’s staff will fully leverage. Given Davies’ commitment and the magnitude of the tournament, betting on his determination to perform is a safe bet.
Jones Faces Setback in Recovery
A more concerning injury involves Alfie Jones. The Middlesbrough center-back reportedly suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury sustained in December. While no one has ruled him out of the World Cup, he will attend Canada’s training camp for full assessment. Whether Jones makes the final squad depends on his response to fitness tests and training demands. Head coach Jesse Marsch and staff value his dependability and physicality in defense, but they must weigh how much they can get from Jones in the late group stage.
Knight-Lebel Emerges as Injuries Mount
Jones’ setback compounds concerns at center-back. Moise Bombito is still not fully fit after a broken leg. Adding to the injury list, defender Derek Cornelius is also nursing issues. Meanwhile, young prospect Knight-Lebel is gaining attention as a potential replacement, with strong performances in recent outings. The coaching staff is monitoring his development closely, and his inclusion could provide depth as Canada navigates these fitness challenges.