Davies back as Canada names squad to face Guatemala

Alphonso Davies is set to rejoin Canada’s men’s soccer team after months out of the lineup, as head coach Jesse Marsch named a 23-player squad for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Guatemala.

Canada opens the two-legged series in Guatemala City on Nov. 13 and hosts the decisive second leg at BMO Field in Toronto on Nov. 16, Canada Soccer said. The winner reaches the Nations League Finals in Los Angeles in March 2027 and qualifies for the 2027 Gold Cup. The loser drops into the Gold Cup preliminary round. Canada Soccer has said the Concacaf matches will air on TSN, RDS and OneSoccer.

“I’m super excited to have him back,” Marsch said Tuesday on a video call, according to The Canadian Press. “I think the whole team is. I think he’s going to add a lot to who we are.”

Davies, the team’s captain and a Bayern Munich left back, is 26. He played limited minutes in one game at this summer’s World Cup while recovering from a hamstring injury, then missed the three friendlies in late September and early October. He has played 13 games for Bayern this season, with three goals and three assists, and has been used as a wingback, a role Marsch would like to try with Canada.

Marsch’s options are limited by injuries. Canada will be without defenders Derek Cornelius of Marseille, Alfie Jones of Middlesbrough and Alistair Johnston of Celtic. Southampton striker Cyle Larin and Swansea midfielder Stephen Eustaquio picked up new injuries this week and are also out. Cornelius was hospitalized after an injury at training in September.

“This is nothing new, unfortunately,” Marsch said. “We have gotten accustomed to as a staff watching the matches and keeping our fingers crossed.”

To fill the gaps, Marsch called in Toronto FC defender Richard Chukwu and Feyenoord midfielder Kevin Khan, both 18. Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau returns after missing the fall friendlies following the death of his father. Vancouver Whitecaps centre back Ralph Priso is also in camp and will fly to Guatemala after the Whitecaps’ regular-season finale at CF Montreal on Saturday.

Canada is ranked 27th in the world and Guatemala 95th. Guatemala is making its first Nations League quarterfinal appearance. Concacaf sanctioned the Guatemalan federation after its Oct. 5 qualifier against Suriname, citing discriminatory chants, objects thrown onto the field and a post-match confrontation, and suspended players Jonathan Franco and Carlos Estrada for three games each.

Canada’s World Cup run ended this summer with a loss to Morocco.

Via The Canadian Press and Canada Soccer.

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