Liverpool has once again been linked with Alphonso Davies this year, but the Reds won't get the chance to take a closer look at him during Canada's opening World Cup game
17:10, 12 Jun 2026
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image has been digitally altered.) Alphonso Davies #19 of Canada poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 08, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Alphonso Davies is missing for Canada's opening game of the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
World Cup co-host Canada gets its tournament underway on Friday, but its biggest name is missing against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 2026 tournament got off to a great start on Thursday as another of the hosts, Mexico, beat South Africa 2-0 in a game that saw three red cards dished out — almost as many as in the whole of the last tournament in 2022. South Korea then came from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 and sit just behind Mexico in Group A.
Friday sees the turn of Canada to kick its tournament off, but Jesse Marsch’s side has been hit with a big blow ahead of its opener against Bosnia, with Alphonso Davies ruled out.
The Bayern Munich left-back has been managing a hamstring injury picked up during his club’s Champions League semi-final encounter with Paris Saint-Germain. Although he was pictured training with his international teammates this week, Marsch has confirmed his captain will miss Canada’s opener.
"We did an MRI with him [on Wednesday]. It showed very positive signs that he’s healing incredibly well, almost completely,” Marsch told reporters ahead of the game.
“We’re getting ready to ramp things up. I think that he’s showing, like he always has, a real good ability to recover from muscle injuries.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 11: Alphonso Davies of Canada during the training session of Canada one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Davies trained ahead of Canada's opener, but has been ruled out with a hamstring injury(Image: Getty Images)
"I think that having his private physio here has been very helpful, and the concentration on his body’s needs every day. And so we are really hopeful that over the next days and week that we can accelerate things and give him a chance to contribute here soon."
Liverpool fans might be particularly disappointed not to get the chance to see Davies in action later. The 25-year-old’s name has been regularly linked with a move to Anfield over recent years, including just a few months ago.
Writing for CF Bayern Insider in March, Christian Falk commented on rumors that Davies had been offered to Liverpool, claiming that Bayern could be tempted into selling him should a “big offer” land on the table.
Davies signed a new contract with the German giants last year, having been on the verge of becoming a free agent amid links with the Reds.
Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kit
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£85
LFC Shop
Buy Now on LFC Shop
Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.
Article continues below
Liverpool may well be in the market for a new left-back this summer after the departure of Andy Robertson. Milos Kerkez looks to be the clear first-choice in the position now, and the Hungarian may benefit from his former manager at Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola, taking over at Anfield.
Kostas Tsimikas is due to return to the club this summer following a season on loan at Roma, although it’s not yet clear what Liverpool’s plans are for the Greek international.
Davies would of course be an attractive prospect, but his recent injury record does raise concerns, not to mention his hefty wages, which could prove to be too big a hurdle for the Reds to overcome — especially with the Canadian under contract until 2030 in Munich.