Canada’s Jesse Marsch Optimistic About Alphonso Davies’ Return for the 2026 World Cup

Jesse Marsch, the manager of the Canadian national soccer team, confirmed that star player Alphonso Davies is enthusiastic about his return to play and is eager to contribute significantly to the upcoming 2026 World Cup, following a lengthy recovery from injury.

At 25 years old, Davies is recognized as one of the fastest players globally. However, he faced a setback last March when he tore a ligament and incurred additional damage to his right knee during a Concacaf Nations League match against the United States.

After nine months of rehabilitation, Davies returned to action on December 9, competing for Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Marsch is keen to integrate him into Canada’s preparations leading up to the World Cup this summer.

“Alphonso got himself healthy before the winter break and participated in several matches, showing good form,” Marsch stated in an interview with ESPN. “Now, after a two-week break, he is back to training and has effectively entered a new preseason phase to regain his fitness.

“This situation is ideal for him to return to peak condition while minimizing the risk of further injuries. We are closely monitoring all players in the Canada squad who have experienced long-term injuries and maintaining open communication with them and their respective clubs to ensure a cautious return to play.

“Alphonso is in a great place right now. If you speak with him, you’ll see that he is mentally and physically revitalized and excited. Often, after being sidelined for an extended period, players are just thrilled to be back on the pitch, and that reflects his current mindset.”

Canada is scheduled to face Guatemala in a friendly match on January 18, with additional pre-tournament plans to be announced. Marsch remains optimistic about the upcoming summer tournament.

“With Alphonso back and five of our other key defenders currently injured, our success will hinge on our overall health and fitness during the tournament. However, we possess an explosive team, and one of the reasons I joined Canada was the potential I saw in this talented group to play the style of football that I advocate.

“There will be challenges ahead, but I believe we have made significant strides in developing our desired style of play. Our team’s identity has become more defined, and our confidence continues to grow.

“We truly believe we can compete effectively against strong opponents in the tournament.”

Nevertheless, Canada, currently ranked 27th in the FIFA World Rankings, faces a challenging path, having been drawn into a group with Switzerland (17th), Qatar (54th), and a yet-to-be-determined UEFA playoff qualifier, which could include teams like Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Bosnia & Herzegovina.

“My primary takeaway from the draw is that depending on which team emerges from the European qualifiers, we could potentially face the toughest group in the tournament,” Marsch remarked. “The level of challenge in these groups has undoubtedly risen compared to previous tournaments.

“If Italy qualifies, they would be classified as a Pot One team, while Switzerland would fall into Pot Two, and Qatar into Pot Three. Thus, as a host nation, we find ourselves effectively placed in Pot Four rather than Pot One.

“While this is not ideal, we remain confident in our team. The World Cup is inherently challenging, regardless of the opponents we face.”