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Canada head coach Jesse Marsch announced on Thursday that Alphonso Davies will miss the team's first 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Bosnia-Herzegovina due to a hamstring injury. Marsch said he feels confident that the squad is prepared.
Speaking at a press conference at BMO Stadium in Toronto, Marsch explained that an MRI taken the day before showed Davies is "healing incredibly well," but he will not be available for the match.
"I came here to lead them in the World Cup, in a home World Cup. I wanted this responsibility," Marsch said.
Stephen Eustaquio, who plays for Los Angeles FC in MLS, will captain Canada in the match. This will be the first World Cup game ever played on Canadian soil.
Marsch said the team has stayed calm even with high expectations.
"We're all aware of the World Cup. We're all aware that it's at home. We're all excited," he said, adding that the team aims to "show our quality, our character and our togetherness."
Canada qualified for the World Cups in 1986 and 2022 but lost all six matches in those tournaments. This year’s squad features several players who play in top European leagues.
Bosnia-Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez called the upcoming match an important event and highlighted the challenge of facing a co-host nation in the opening game.
"We are playing against the host, in an opening match. It will certainly be an intense match," Barbarez said at the same venue.
The 54-year-old coach said his team had a tough path to the tournament, including a win over Italy to qualify. He added that the players are ready and eager to perform.
Barbarez said striker Haris Tabakovic is not ready yet and might be available for the second match at best. He also confirmed that veteran forward Edin Dzeko is healthy and training as usual.
Barbarez, who became head coach in 2024, said the team’s journey to the World Cup has been challenging.
"I wanted to create something different; better, simpler, more sincere," he said, adding that the process has validated the team's approach and direction.
This is Bosnia-Herzegovina’s second World Cup appearance. The Group B match against Canada will take place on Friday in Toronto.
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