Full Breakdown
Canada’s Final Pre-World Cup Training Camp: Roster Decisions Amid Injuries
5/26/2026, 12:50:59 AM
Charlotte Camp Sets Stage for Home World Cup
Canada Soccer named a 32-player squad for a training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, from 25 May to 29 May. Head coach Jesse Marsch will announce the 26-player FIFA World Cup 2026 roster on 29 May in a TV special. Friendlies vs Uzbekistan (1 June, Edmonton) and Ireland (5 June, Montréal) follow. Canada is in Group B with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland, with group matches on 12, 18 and 24 June.
Injury Concerns Dominate the Roster
Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) is recovering from a hamstring strain (some reports cite an ACL tear). Centre-back Moïse Bombito (OGC Nice) returned from a fractured tibia and played 32 minutes in a test match. Forward Promise David (ex-Juventus) is post-hip-surgery. Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough) is rehabbing an ankle injury, while midfielder Ali Ahmed (Norwich) and left-back Richie Laryea (Toronto) are each “ahead of schedule.” Goalkeeper James Pantemis, despite a strong season, was omitted.
Key Players and Availability
Goalkeepers Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Barnsley) and Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami) are in camp. Defenders include Zorhan Bassong (Sporting Kansas City), Richie Laryea (Toronto) and Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough); Davies remains absent. Midfielders Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal) and Jonathan Osorio (Toronto) are present. Forwards Jonathan David (Juventus) and Cyle Larin (Southampton) are available, while Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Tani Oluwaseyi have yet to report.
Coach Jesse Marsch’s Official Remarks
Marsch said the camp “is the final step before we announce the squad that will represent Canada at a home World Cup.” He said a “process” for Davies that avoids further risk and may include test matches after the group stage. He praised Bombito’s recovery, saying the player is feeling great and looking like his usual self, and called Promise David “incredibly strong” after hip surgery. He confirmed Ahmed, Laryea and Jones are cleared for full training.
Criticism of Injury Management
Bayern officials and Davies’ agent Nedal Huoseh criticized Canada Soccer’s handling of Davies’ injury, questioning the return timing and club-national medical coordination.
Conflicting Reports on Davies’ Injury
Source 3 says Davies suffered a hamstring strain on 6 May; Source 4 says he tore his ACL in the Nations League third-place match. Both note he has not played for Canada since March 2025, leaving the injury type disputed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These are the final days before we announce the squad that will represent Canada at a home World Cup, and the excitement in this group is real. We feel the momentum building across our country and we are calm, focused, and ready for this moment.” — Jesse Marsch, Head Coach
- “I don’t think he’ll be ready quite on June 12, but we’ll see.” — Jesse Marsch on Alphonso Davies
- “(Bayern) are very supportive, and they want to see (Davies) play in the World Cup,” — Jesse Marsch quoting Bayern officials
- “He’s feeling great, he’s looking great, he’s looking like himself more and more every day,” — Jesse Marsch on Moïse Bombito
What’s Next
Canada will finish camp with the Uzbekistan friendly on 1 June, then Ireland on 5 June. The 26-player World Cup roster is confirmed on 29 May, and the team opens Group B on 12 June in Toronto.
