The Canadian men's national soccer team is finalizing preparations in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of head coach Jesse Marsch announcing his 26-man World Cup roster on Friday, May 29 at 7 p.
m. ET.
The co-hosts enter the tournament facing significant fitness concerns regarding star players Alphonso Davies and Moïse Bombito.
According to reports from The Athletic, The Guardian, and MLSsoccer.
com, Davies is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained on May 6 and missed the Charlotte training camp.
He is expected to arrive in Edmonton on May 31 to continue his rehabilitation and address the media.
Marsch on Davies and Team Mentality
Canada's head coach discussed the integration of the Bayern Munich defender into the national squad, noting the player's strong relationship with his teammates despite recent public attention surrounding his status.
"Because Alphonso loves being here and the guys love Alphonso," said Marsch.
"Of course, there's been a lot of public things (stated) when you're a big player, and you play for Bayern, and (Canadian players) read some things, but they all talk with Alphonso too.
We just need to get him into our team."
"The team knows we're a good team, with or without Alphonso. But they know we're a better team when he's fit and strong and playing well," Marsch added.
Beyond Davies, Canada faces multiple defensive injury challenges.
Alfie Jones participated in monitored training following ankle surgery but is unlikely to start the opening match, while Richie Laryea is limited by a thigh injury, making his June 12 starting status uncertain.
Center-back Moïse Bombito is progressing toward full fitness and is expected to start a warm-up match against Uzbekistan or Ireland.
Meanwhile, fullback Luc de Fougerolles completed concussion testing and is projected to play early in the tournament.
Marsch has maintained a tactical framework focused on high-intensity pressing, which helped guide the team to nine clean sheets in 13 matches prior to their upcoming pre-tournament friendlies.
"Some teams press to win the ball back, we press to punish and think about scoring immediately when we recover the ball," said Marsch.
The defensive structure was established early in Marsch's tenure during matches against France and the Netherlands, building a system that functioned even during the international absences of Bombito and Davies.
"In my first year in charge we developed the playing style and it's clear we are more of a complete team with Moïse and Alphonso," Marsch says.
"The last year has been about developing the overall mentality to make sure when the lights are the brightest we will be ready to host World Cup games and I think this team is special and can handle that."
The American coach adjusted to international management by traveling globally to visit Canadian players and working at the provincial level to help unify the governance and development of Canadian soccer.
"From the moment I worked with this group of players in the first camp, I knew I was going to fall in love with these guys," he says.
"They are a unique group of really good people, who are very talented, and when I said goodbye to them it was different from what I was used to as a head coach in the club game."
Tactical adjustments under consideration include moving Niko Sigur or Alistair Johnston to left-back if Laryea cannot start.
Sigur stated he feels ready to fill the role after training extensively on both sides of the backline.
"I've played left-back before, a few years ago, a few games in the pre-season and one league games," Sigur said.
"I'm comfortable on the left, for sure."
Canada will compete in Group B during the tournament.
The co-hosts are scheduled to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12, followed by matches against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 in Vancouver.
