Jesse Marsch named Alphonso Davies on Canada’s bench for the 2nd World Cup group-stage match against Qatar in Vancouver, saying the 25-year-old had been training and would be available as the staff assessed match conditions. Marsch added the team would decide how to use Davies after seeing how the match went.
Alphonso Davies' Bench Role
Davies was only fit enough to return as a substitute after being an unused substitute in Canada’s 1-1 opener in Toronto last week. The captain had featured in only 2 of Canada’s last 22 matches following a torn ACL in March 2025 and a hamstring problem suffered in May during Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final tie against PSG, and he was listed among Canada’s substitutes against Qatar.
Jesse Marsch On Davies Fitness
Three remarks from Marsch framed the selection. "He’s been in training this week, and he’ll be available tomorrow, and we’ll see how the match goes and then make a decision on how we would choose to use him," "We’ve worked really closely with his physio, we’ve worked really well through this and Alphonso is looking really good." "It’s just a matter of what kind of game is it, what kind of moment is it, and how do we feel Alphonso can contribute right now. But, he’s ready." — Jesse Marsch
Richie Laryea Starting Slot
Richie Laryea deputised at full-back in Davies’ place in the starting XI, which featured Crepeau, Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea, Buchanan, Eustaquio, Kone, Ahmed, Larin and David. Marsch framed the match as a chance to put Canada in a commanding position to reach the knockouts, so the staff opted for a starting backline that had match minutes under its belt while Davies provided an on-field option off the bench.
Canada had hoped to restore Davies to the starting eleven after his unused substitute appearance in the opener, but the selection underscored a cautious management of his workload. Davies last played for Canada in March 2025 during the Nations League third-place game against the United States, where he tore his ACL, and the staff balanced that recent history with the immediate tactical objective against Qatar.
How much of a role, if any, Jesse Marsch ultimately gave Alphonso Davies against Qatar remains the immediate question.
