Alphonso Davies is poised to make his first appearance of the tournament when Canada face South Africa in their World Cup last-32 tie in Los Angeles on Sunday. The Bayern Munich left-back has been sidelined through injury but indicated his readiness for the knockout phase opener at SoFi Stadium, the same venue where he suffered an ACL tear in March.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch confirmed the significance of the return ahead of the weekend fixture. “Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, it’s a big moment for the team,” Marsch said. “It changes the potential of what our team is and what we can do in this tournament.”
Defensive reinforcements and fresh concerns
Davies is not the only defensive figure returning to the fold. Centre-back Moïse Bombito is also expected to be available, providing pace that could prove crucial against a South African side that exploited space effectively during their shock victory over South Korea in Monterrey.
However, the squad news is not entirely positive for the North Americans. Midfielder Ismaël Koné has been ruled out after suffering a leg break in the final group match against Qatar. Meanwhile, vice-captain Stephen Eustáquio remains a doubt due to muscle fatigue, having managed only 30 minutes from the bench during the defeat to Switzerland in Vancouver.
Bafana Bafana welcome back key man
South Africa approach the fixture with growing confidence after progressing as one of the lowest-ranked teams remaining. Hugo Broos’s side will be strengthened by the return of midfielder Teboho Mokoena from suspension, likely to partner Yaya Sithole in the engine room.
Broos acknowledged the historic nature of their campaign but insisted his players remain hungry for more. “I think we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us,” the veteran manager stated. “That doesn’t mean now that we are happy and just play the game tomorrow and go home. You want more.”
Tournament trajectory
The victors in Los Angeles will advance to a last-16 meeting with either Morocco or the Netherlands in Houston. Marsch emphasised that the squad was designed to peak in the knockout stages. “The whole idea was: ‘Can we get stronger as the tournament goes on? And as the opponents get tougher and the moments get bigger?’ That’s where we are right now,” he said.