The uncertainty surrounding Alphonso Davies enters the next phase at the 2026 World Cup. The FC Bayern left back has recently been training on a limited basis and remains a question mark ahead of Canada’s second group stage match. It’s unclear whether he’ll play against Qatar.
For FC Bayern, the status of its star player at the home World Cup is of particular interest. Davies has been dealing with a torn muscle since early May, an injury he sustained in the Champions League semifinal between FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain. The 25-year-old has been out of action ever since.
As reported by The Canadian Press, the fullback warmed up with the Canadian national team during Tuesday’s training session, running and passing the ball. The team completed the rest of the session away from the media. So, it wasn’t yet a full-fledged team training session for Davies.
The captain was limited to a spectator role for the World Cup opener. Canada could not manage more than a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. On Friday (midnight CET), the co-host will face Qatar in its second group stage match in Vancouver—a place with special significance for Davies.
Marsch Expresses Optimism
Canada’s national team coach, Jesse Marsch, recently expressed confidence that his captain could still make an impact as the group stage progresses. “We did an MRI yesterday. It showed very positive signs that he’s healing incredibly well—almost completely. We’ll step things up now. He won’t be available for tomorrow’s game. But I think he’s showing that he recovers really well from muscle injuries,” said the American.
Vice-captain Stephen Eustáquio, on the other hand, did not want to make any predictions: “I don’t know if he can play. I mean, he hasn’t been training with us,” he explained, emphasizing: “But what I can say is that what he brings to the team is his leadership, which is very important to us.”
Bayern is keeping a close eye on Davies
An appearance in Vancouver, of all places, would be emotionally charged for Davies. The lightning-fast left-footed player came of age as a pro with the Vancouver-based Whitecaps before moving to FC Bayern in January 2019 and taking off in Munich. Over the past two seasons, however, injuries have repeatedly set him back.
At Säbener Straße, the situation is being monitored very closely. There had already been friction between FC Bayern and the Canadian soccer association following his cruciate ligament injury in the spring of 2025. Munich officials are therefore likely to be all the more interested in just how strictly Davies’s workload is being managed during the World Cup.