Why is Alphonso Davies not in the starting line-up for the Canada – Qatar FIFA World Cup 2026 match?

Alphonso Davies was not part of Canada’s starting lineup for the second straight game ahead of the team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match against Qatar on Thursday.

The Bayern Munich fullback scored Canada’s first-ever goal at the World Cup four years ago, finding the net within two minutes.

Davies suffered a hamstring injury in the build-up to the World Cup, in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final, while playing for Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain.

He did take part in a number of warm-ups during team training on Monday. A return could be just around the corner.

«He (Davies) is one of the best players in our team, he’s a world-class player, so it would be great to have him in the line-up,» defender Joel Waterman told reporters.

“We have full confidence in the squad from one to 26, and whoever can play will do a great job.”

Published on June 19, 2026