Alphonso Davies 'more than ready' for Canada's World Cup knockout clash

Bayern Munich star and Canada captain Alphonso Davies is poised to make his return for the most important match in Canadian men's soccer history. After missing all three group stage fixtures, head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that Davies is available for Sunday's round of 32 clash against South Africa in Los Angeles.

Davies has not featured for the national team since March 2025, battling a series of setbacks including an ACL tear. His absence has been a major talking point throughout the tournament, but Marsch stated that having his top player back provides a significant boost to the squad as they prepare for the knockout stage.

While Marsch remained guarded regarding whether Davies would start or come off the bench, he emphasized that the player is in a position to perform. The connection between Davies and the national team has been scrutinized during his recovery, but the player reiterated that the medical plan between Bayern and the Canadian staff was executed as intended.

For Canada, the stakes could not be higher. Having performed well through the group stage with a balanced squad, the addition of a world-class talent like Davies gives them a different dimension. Whether he can replicate his club form on the biggest stage and help Canada secure their first-ever knockout round win remains the primary question heading into Sunday.