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Bombito Kept On Canada’s World Cup Roster as Davies Ruled Out Of Opener

Canada retained a recovering Moïse Bombito to protect defensive depth while the captain Alphonso Davies is ruled unavailable for the first match, a decision that tightens late replacement options under FIFA’s 24‑hour rule.

Canada's Moïse Bombito (15) sprints during a Team Canada World Cup training session in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan
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Canada v Republic of Ireland - International Friendly
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Overview

  • Canada submitted its official 26‑man roster on Thursday with Moïse Bombito included, and head coach Jesse Marsch said Bombito is available to contribute in the opener despite not being fully fit.
  • An MRI confirmed that captain Alphonso Davies is not ready to play in Friday’s opener, and Marsch said Davies will continue rehabilitation with the aim of contributing later in the group stage.
  • Bombito fractured his left tibia playing for OGC Nice in October and has only logged limited minutes in warmups, showing post‑match sensitivity and doing modified training as he rebuilt fitness.
  • FIFA allows roster changes up to 24 hours before a team’s first match, a rule Canada used earlier to replace injured midfielder Marcelo Flores and that influenced keeping Bombito rather than naming a late replacement.
  • The selections force tactical choices for Canada’s home opener in Toronto by preserving experienced options while balancing each player’s long‑term health and the team’s short‑term need for defensive stability.