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Canada begin their Group B schedule at BMO Field in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June, then move to Vancouver to face Qatar and Switzerland. Canada are co-hosts and have ambitions to progress beyond the group, but plans now hinge on how quickly Davies recovers from a hamstring problem.

Canada enter this World Cup still searching for a first point, having lost all six previous matches at the tournament. They have scored only twice across those fixtures, one goal being an own goal, and have allowed 12. Only El Salvador have played as many World Cup games while being beaten in every appearance.

Optimism around this Canada squad remains strong after a run to the Copa America semi-finals two years ago, which raised expectations that Canada could finally claim a first World Cup win and potentially reach the knockout rounds for the first time in the country's history, provided the squad stays close to full strength.

Davies suffers a hamstring injury during the second leg of Bayern Munich's Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, disrupting preparations for Canada's World Cup campaign. Most Canada players are already in Charlotte for a pre-tournament camp, where Marsch is due to trim a larger training group to a final 26-player squad later this week.

Asked about Davies' condition on Monday, Marsch tells reporters: "I don't think he'll be ready quite on June 12, but we'll see." The cautious wording underlines that Canada are planning for the opening match without certainty that the Bayern Munich left-back will be ready to start or even appear from the bench.

Davies is scheduled to join the Canada camp on 31 May after remaining with Bayern Munich's medical staff for treatment. Marsch explains the joint decision with the club, saying: "We spoke with Bayern and thought the best thing for him was to continue with his treatment until then. Then, we're giving him a few days to get away, and we'll pick up his rehab from there. We're going to put a process in place for him that doesn't put him at further risk. Even on his return to play, when we're talking about minutes, and we're evaluating, do we put together some test matches, Bosnia, Qatar and Switzerland, so that Alphonso can get exactly what he needs, along with the other players? There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes to try to put all our players in position to succeed in this week coming up, before we name the full squad, then so we can achieve our goal of making a deep run."

Canada World Cup planning with Bayern and Marsch's contract

Bayern previously voice displeasure with Canada's handling of Davies after the player sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury on international duty last year, an issue that kept the defender out for nine months. That episode places extra focus on how Canada now manage the current hamstring problem during their World Cup build-up.

Addressing the relationship with Bayern, Marsch says: "We're all working together to try to help that situation improve, and most importantly, I think Alphonso has trust on both sides of the pond right now. Obviously, he has frustrations, but we all want to set him up to succeed, and the last thing I'll say about Alphonso is he's really excited to get back with the team, he's really excited to push at this World Cup. I even said to him, 'Take a few days after your treatment before you come to us, to clear your head and make sure you are recharged', because when we get him here, it's going to be full steam ahead."

Marsch's long-term influence on Canada's World Cup project is confirmed by a four-year contract extension, running through to the 2030 World Cup. Under Marsch so far, Canada register 12 wins, 12 draws and five defeats, figures that show steady competitiveness as the team attempt to transfer regional progress onto the global tournament stage.

In a statement outlining the decision to stay, Marsch says: "From day one, I've felt a deep connection to this team, to this country, and to the direction of the program. I'm thrilled to make a longer-term commitment here, helping develop this program for years to come and continuing to push this group to the highest level."

Canada's recent record and World Cup schedule can be summarised as follows.

Canada's preparations now centre on balancing Davies' rehabilitation with the need for match rhythm, while finalising a squad capable of ending the country's World Cup losing streak. With home support in Toronto and Vancouver, and Marsch secured through 2030, the focus stays on managing risk, maintaining trust with Bayern and giving Canada the best chance of a deep tournament run.