Canada coach Jesse Marsch announced his 26-man World Cup squad on Friday, leaning heavily on players recovering from injury, including captain Alphonso Davies.. The team faces Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12,with several key players like Davies having missed significant time. Marsch delayed the announcement until just before the FIFA deadline, underscoring the fitness uncertainties around the roster .

Alphonso Davies’ Hamstring: A Race Against the June 12 Opener

The biggest question mark, according to the team announcement, is when Davies will be ready to play. The star fullback has been sidelined since tearing his hamstring on May 6 during Bayern Munich’s Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain. He has played only 102 minutes for Canada since the start of 2025, missing 14 national team matches. Davies is scheduled to join the team in Edmonton on Sunday after rehabbing in Germany, but as the source reports, his timeline remains uncertain. Teams can replace an outfield player up to 24 hours before the opening match, so Marsch has a narrow window to assess Davies’ condition.

The 12-Goal Offense: Why Canada’s Attack Needs More Than Jonathan David

Canada has scored only 12 goals in its last 11 matches, with nine coming in four games: victories over Romania (3-0), El Salvador and Venezuela (both 2-0), and a draw with Iceland (2-2). The source notes that Jonathan David will lead the attack, likely alongside Cyle Larin, but the only other forwards named are Tani Oluwaseyi and Promise (Tobi) David, who is recovering from hip surgery in February. Marsch left forward Daniel Jebbison off the roster, likely because of the speedy Jacob Shaffelburg, who spent the week in rehabilitation after January groin surgery. The lack of proven scoring depth, as the report highlights, puts pressure on David and Larin to produce immediately.

Moise Bombito and Derek Cornelius: The Center-Back Gamble

When healthy, the preferred center-back pairing has been Moise Bombito, who anchors the defense, and Derek Cornelius. But as the source states, Cornelius has seen limited playing time since rejoining Rangers FC on loan from Olympique Marseille, while Bombito is on the comeback trail from injury. Richie Laryea and Alistair Johnston have also dealt with fitness issues. The 28-year-old English-born cener back Luc de Fougerolles spent time in concussion protoocl, and Stephen Eustaquio dealt with a hematoma.. If Cornelius lacks match fitness, Jones — who has just one cap — could step up, but that’s a thin margin for error against a disciplined Bosnia side.

Who Starts in Goal? Maxime Crepeau vs Dayne St . Clair

Marsch has yet to name his starting goalkeeper, saying diplomatically that he cannot go wrong with either Maxime Crepeau or Dayne St. Clair. He chose a young keeper for the number three role, selecting 22-year-old Owen Goodman, who has yet to earn a senior cap. The source reports that both Crepeau and St. Clair have been reliable, but the decision carries extra weight given Canada’s defensive uncertainty. The roster is fixed after the opening match for outfield players, so the goalkeeper choice — and the fitness of the backline — could define Canada’s tournament.