World Cup
Davies set for Canada debut vs Switzerland with World Cup fate on line
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed Tuesday that Alphonso Davies will not start Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup clash with Switzerland but is expected to feature as a substitute. Davies, 25, has missed Canada’s last five matches since suffering a left hamstring injury in early May while playing for Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinal.
Marsch emphasized the psychological boost Davies brings, stating: “I think 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.” The coach added that Davies is “looking great, he’s in training, he looks fit, he looks ready to go, excited.”
Canada sits top of Group B on four points and goal difference (+6), level with Switzerland. A win or draw against the Swiss in Vancouver would secure Canada’s place in the round of 32 at BC Place. Striker Cyle Larin said Monday: “To go into the Switzerland game in a position to win the group, I think we've always expected that.”
Canada entered the tournament ranked No. 30 by FIFA, while Switzerland are No. 19. The Canadians had never won a World Cup match before beating Qatar 6–0 last Thursday. Switzerland, meanwhile, has reached the knockout stage five times. Despite the rankings gap, Canada leads the group on goal difference.
Larin added: “I think we're in a great moment. We just have to keep doing what we've been doing over the last game and last few games. I think the guys are ready for it, and ready to perform.” Canada and Switzerland have met once before, with Canada winning 3–1 in May 2022.
Switzerland’s defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka scored a late penalty to help his side beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4–1 last Thursday. Larin described Xhaka as “a very smart player” who demands full concentration: “Those players you have to be 100 per cent concentrated on everything because he can make a pass, he can control the game.”
Canada midfielder Liam Millar stressed the need to stay aggressive and limit Switzerland’s time on the ball. “Just be the same, be aggressive, make sure we don't give these guys time on the ball,” he said. Defender Derek Cornelius said the team has a “solid game plan” and is ready to execute against a Swiss side with “experience, quality throughout the whole squad.”
Canada will be without starting midfielder Ismaël Koné, who suffered a broken leg in the second half of the Qatar win. His replacement, Nathan Saliba, made his World Cup debut and scored a free kick, celebrating by forming an eight with his fingers—Koné’s number—and holding up Koné’s jersey.
Marsch acknowledged Koné’s importance: “Koné's been an incredible player, maybe our best player in the tournament so far. And he's also a big personality in the group.” The coach said the team will rely on a group effort to fill the void, naming Nathan Saliba, Mathieu Choiniere, Jonathan Osorio, and Niko Sigur as potential contributors.