preparations for the have been somewhat overshadowed by injury concerns to superstar full-back Alphonso Davies. But coach Jesse Marsch has confirmed that he will select the Bayern Munich icon for his final 26-man squad on 29 May.
Davies has been included in Marsch's provisional 32-man group who are taking part in a training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week. Marsch revealed that the Canada captain will not join up with the roster until 31 May in Edmonton ahead of the global showpiece as he recovers from a hamstring strain he suffered during Bayern's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
"Yes, I think Alphonso will play in the World Cup," Marsch declared to the media on Monday, before adding that he did not believe Davies would be able to recover in time for Canada's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on 12 June.
Marsch added that Canada Soccer has been working closely with Bayern to ensure Davies' optimum health for the World Cup, which includes undergoing certain treatments in Munich this week.
"We're going to have to be monitoring his progress on a daily basis," Marsch said. "Bayern has put him through certain treatment protocols that they can do in Germany and that they can't do in North America, and so that's one of the reasons why he has stayed in Germany because we think they have some advanced techniques in terms of the treatments he can get.
"They are also very supportive and want to see him play in the World Cup.... in the end we're going to have to put a process in place that doesn't put him further at risk."
Marsch added that has he still not decided who will be his No1 goalkeeper for the tournament, with Orlando City's Maxime Crepeau and Inter Miami's Dayne St. Clair both in the running. "Whatever decision we make will be the right one," he said. "I will be tormented by telling one of them they won't be the goalkeeper for the World Cup."
A number of stars from Canada's squad at Qatar 2022 have been left off the provisional roster, including Kamal Miller, Junior Hoilett, Sam Adekugbe and Samuel Piette.
Canada have been drawn with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B. Prior to the global showpiece, the co-hosts will face Uzbekistan and the Republic of Ireland in warm-up matches.
Maxime Crepeau Owen Goodman Dayne St. Clair
Zorhan Bassong Moise Bombito Derek Cornelius Alphonso Davies Luc de Fougerolles Alistair Johnston Alfie Jones Jamie Knight-Lebel Richie Laryea Ralph Priso Niko Sigur Joel Waterman
Ali Ahmed Tajon Buchanan Mathieu Choiniere Stephen Eustaquio Marcelo Flores Ismael Kone Liam Millar Jayden Nelson Jonathan Osorio Nathan-Dylan Saliba Jacob Shaffelburg
Jonathan David Promise David Daniel Jebbison Cyle Larin Tani Oluwaseyi Jacen Russell-Rowe
Nathaniel Abraham Zayne Bruno Tim Fortier Mael Henry Dylan Judelson Elijah Roche
All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.
Sources: FIFA Official
