Is Alphonso Davies playing today? Canada star injury status matters for Round of 32 World Cup match with South Africa

Is Alphonso Davies playing today? Canada star injury status matters for Round of 32 World Cup match with South Africa originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Alphonso Davies has yet to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Even with the Bayern Munich star's absence, Canada advanced to the knockout rounds. They'll be involved in the first Round of 32 match, which takes place Sunday afternoon against South Africa.

The winner moves on. The loser's tournament is over.

It really would be a good time for Davies to be available after dealing with injury.

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Yes, Davies is available to play.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch told reporters on Saturday that Davies is ready to go for Sunday's game.

He actually had said earlier in the week that Davies had been a "decoy" during group play, wanting other teams to worry about his presence off the bench.

Now, Marsch plans to use Davies for real.

Davies has been recovering from a hamstring injury.

“Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, I think it’s a big moment for the team and a big boost for the team,” Marsch said Saturday, via the Associated Press. “I think in general, all the players that came into camp with little injuries are now really close to 100% and ready to perform at the highest level and be at our best in these matches.”

If Davies is indeed on the pitch, it's a huge boost for a Canadian team that has played solidly already.

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