Canada Coach Updates on Bayern Star Davies' Fitness Ahead of South Africa Clash

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has issued a fitness update on Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies as the national team prepares for its 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against South Africa.

The co‑host nation Canada is set to play South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Sunday at 9 p.m. in Los Angeles Stadium, with both sides fighting for a spot in the Round of 16.

Davies has not appeared in any of Canada’s group‑stage games, missing all three matches. He was listed on the bench for each contest while he recuperated from a left hamstring strain that occurred late in the previous season.

Marsch announced that Davies is now projected to be fit for selection against Hugo Broos’ South Africa, giving Canada a substantial advantage after being without one of its key players during the group stage.

“Alphonso wasn’t ready yet, but I wanted Switzerland to think about them and if you heard their press conference yesterday, they spoke about him a lot,” Marsch said as per TSN (via Idiski Times).

“He was never ready to play today, but I used them as a decoy. He will be ready for the next match, though.”

“We didn’t want to be in a situation where he could be in danger, but he will be ready for the next match.”

South Africa will also benefit from the return of midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was eligible for the match against Canada after serving a one‑match suspension for collecting two yellow cards in the group stage.