Canada declares Alphonso Davies fit for World Cup knockout debut against South Africa

The declaration

After weeks of doubt and a deliberate misinformation campaign, Canada captain Alphonso Davies is fit for the team's first World Cup knockout match. Head coach Jesse Marsch told reporters at SoFi Stadium on Saturday that the Bayern Munich left back has recovered from a left hamstring injury and will face South Africa on Sunday.

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.

The decoy tactic

Marsch admitted earlier in the tournament that he had used Davies as a decoy, telling opponents the star was ready for Canada's group-stage loss to Switzerland when in reality he was not. The American coach said the ploy was no longer necessary and that protecting Davies was like caring for a Ferrari.

"You have to treat them like they're Ferraris," Marsch told reporters.

Davies' frustration and patience

Davies, who scored Canada's first World Cup goal in Qatar in 2022, watched all three home games in Toronto and Vancouver from the sidelines. He missed the 6-0 win over Qatar, the draw and the 2-1 defeat to Switzerland that determined Canada's path to the knockout rounds. He said he asked Marsch before the Switzerland game if he could play but was told to wait.

It was hard to watch those three games. It was painful. The only thing you want to do is play. It was surreal because I've never seen so many Canadians at a football match before. It brought tears to my eyes.

Marsch said holding Davies back was difficult.

For me to go tell our best player, and a guy that is a huge piece of everything that we do, that we have to wait, was also painful.

Tactical boost and the matchup

Marsch called Davies an "X factor" and hinted he could play further forward than his usual left-back role, even in midfield, to maximize his impact. Defender Moise Bombito is also match-fit after breaking his leg in October. Canada, co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Mexico, will become the first host nation to play a World Cup match on foreign soil. South Africa upset South Korea to reach their first knockout round and Marsch said they would be "very intensive" and Canada must be "very aggressive."

Historic stakes

A win would send Canada to the last 16 for the first time. Prime Minister Mark Carney attended earlier matches, underlining the national attention. Marsch acknowledged the weight of the moment but said he would not confirm how many minutes Davies would play. "I'm not confirming any minutes, starts, subs. He's available to play," Marsch said.