Canada to field captain Alphonso Davies vs Switzerland

Canada is poised to welcome back captain Alphonso Davies for its pivotal final group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed the star defender is expected to make his tournament debut as a substitute when the team faces Switzerland in Vancouver on Wednesday.

Davies has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in a Champions League semifinal for Bayern Munich in early May. His return provides a significant boost to a Canadian squad that sits atop Group B, tied with Switzerland on four points but ahead on goal differential. A win or a draw on Wednesday would secure first place in the group for Canada, ensuring its Round of 32 match would also be played in Vancouver.

Marsch stated that Davies will not start but is likely to feature from the bench. "I would like to get him into the match, for sure," Marsch said. "I think that he can have a big impact, both on us physically and football-wise, but also mentally, psychologically, to have our captain back, our best player back in the team." He added that Davies has been training well and looks fit and ready.

The match represents a major opportunity for the co-hosts. Canada earned its first-ever...