Davies included in Canada's World Cup squad
Alphonso Davies headlines Canada's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and coach Jesse Marsch believes the players selected can shine on home soil.
Canada is co-hosting alongside the United States and Mexico, with some big names included.
Bayern Munich's Davies headlines Marsch's side, with the Canada captain selected despite struggling with a hamstring injury sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in Bayern's UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat earlier this month.
Jonathan David, who scored eight goals in 46 appearances across all competitions for Juventus in 2025-2026, is the other standout name Marsch has chosen.
Canada has named 13 players that featured in Qatar four years ago, which ended at the first hurdle after losing all three of its group games to Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
The rest of the squad will be playing for the first time at the tournament, with Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, Nice's Moise Bombito and Tani Oluwaseyi of Villarreal all picked.
While some of his players are not at full fitness, Marsch believes the individuals he has selected are ready to deliver on home soil.
"I felt this was our current best squad and then, probably, one of the best ever squads if not the best squad that Canada has ever assembled at any one time," Marsch said.
"Are all of them right now at full 100 per cent? No, but they're close," the Canada boss added, signalling frustration at the repeated questions from the media about players' injuries.
Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, Villarreal's Tajon Buchanan, and Southampton forward Cyle Larin are all included, but veteran Junior Hoilett was omitted.
But all the talk surrounded Davies, who faces a race against time to be fit for Canada's opening game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 13 June (AEST) at BMO Field.
"We've had a pretty good idea of who our core group is for a while," Marsch added.
"The real X factor in all these decisions was to determine which players are going to be healthy, and who could we project to be close to 100 per cent and in the best form of their life.
"Luckily, we are on track with a lot of guys. Will everyone be 100 per cent for the Bosnia match? No, that won't be the case.
"But we will have a really strong core that will be ready for that match, and we believe we can get stronger as the tournament goes on."
Canada faces FIFA World Cup debutant Uzbekistan and Republic of Ireland in two pre-tournament friendlies before its campaign officially gets underway.
Marsch's men also face Qatar on 19 June (AEST) before rounding out their Group B campaign against Switzerland six days later.
Canada squad:
Dayne St Clair (Inter Miami), Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Crystal Palace); Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Derek Cornelius (Marseille), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham), Moise Bombito (Nice), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough); Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC), Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Liam Millar (Hull City), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Jacob Shaffelburg (Toronto), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto); Jonathan David (Juventus), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Promise David (Union SG).
























