FIFA World Cup Canada vs. Qatar: Will Alphonso Davies return to the lineup?

Canada could be getting a major boost to the lineup on Thursday.

Manager Jesse Marsch confirmed national team captain Alphonso Davies will be available to play Canada’s second World Cup group stage game against Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Alphonso Davies

Davies missed Canada’s tournament-opening 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week and he hasn’t played for the national team since suffering an ACL injury in March 2025.

While Davies is not expected to start against Qatar, he could be used as a second-half substitution.

“He’s [Davies] been in training this week and he’ll be available tomorrow,” Marsch told reporters on Wednesday. “We’ll see how the match goes and then make a decision on how we would choose to use him.”

Even if Davies is less than 100 per cent, his presence in the lineup would be a major boost for a Canadian side looking for its first-ever World Cup win. Marsch is trying to balance the impact Davies has on the team while preventing the star player from re-aggravating a hamstring injury.

“We’ve worked really closely with his physio, we’ve worked really well through this and Alphonso is looking really good,” Marsch said. “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.”

Canada vs. Qatar

This is a huge opportunity for Canada as all four Group B teams sit level in the standings heading into matchday 2. If Canada beats Qatar, they will have a great shot at winning the group entering their final game against Switzerland on June 24.

Canada is a -325 favourite against Qatar and they are +150 to win Group B. Les Rouges is expected to at least reach the Round of 32 as the top two teams in each group as well as the eight best third-place teams all qualify for the knockout round.

You can see out full Canada vs. Qatar match preview and score prediction here.