Alphonso Davies was a decoy for Canada in their 2-1 loss to Switzerland, according to coach Jesse Marsch. Davies, who has been battling a hamstring injury, did not play in the match.
What happened?
Marsch admitted to using Davies as a decoy to gain a psychological advantage over Switzerland. He stated that Davies was not ready to play, but would be ready for the next match.
The Swiss response
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin was unfazed by the revelation, stating that his team focuses on the collective rather than individual players. However, he acknowledged that the presence of a player like Davies forces certain considerations.
Concerns over Davies' fitness
Davies has not seen competitive action since early May, when he suffered a hamstring tear while playing for Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals. His absence from the national team has been even longer, stretching back to a ligament injury sustained against the United States in March 2025.
Looking ahead to the knockout rounds
Canada finished second in Group B and will face South Africa in the knockout rounds. The focus now shifts to whether Davies can finally make his return to the pitch. Davies himself offered no clues after the final whistle, declining to speak to the media.
Marsch had talked up the psychological boost of having Davies around, stating that he can have a big impact both physically and mentally. The Canada coach will be hoping that Davies can make a return to the pitch soon, as they look to progress in the tournament.
The defeat to Switzerland was a setback for Canada, but they will be looking to bounce back in the knockout rounds. With Davies potentially returning to the pitch, they will be hoping to cause an upset against South Africa.
Davies' fitness remains a major talking point for Canada, with the 25-year-old's hamstring injury a concern. However, Marsch is confident that he will be ready for the next match, and Canada will be hoping that he can make a significant impact.
The match against South Africa will be a tough test for Canada, but with Davies potentially returning to the pitch, they will be looking to cause an upset. The focus now shifts to the knockout rounds, and Canada will be hoping to progress in the tournament.
Marsch's tactics have been called into question, with some critics arguing that he should have started Davies against Switzerland. However, the Canada coach is confident that his tactics were correct, and that Davies will be ready for the next match.
The knockout rounds will be a challenging test for Canada, but with Davies potentially returning to the pitch, they will be looking to cause an upset. The focus now shifts to the match against South Africa, and Canada will be hoping to progress in the tournament.
Davies' return to the pitch will be a significant boost for Canada, and they will be hoping that he can make a significant impact. The 25-year-old's fitness remains a concern, but Marsch is confident that he will be ready for the next match.
The match against South Africa will be a tough test for Canada, but with Davies potentially returning to the pitch, they will be looking to cause an upset. The focus now shifts to the knockout rounds, and Canada will be hoping to progress in the tournament.