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‘A child born in a refugee camp wasn’t allowed to make it’: Emotional Alphonso Davies celebrates after being named to Canada’s World Cup squad as John Herdman’s men gear up for their first tournament since 1986
Canada has named its 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar, with Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Lille’s Jonathan David as star names.
Coach John Herdman confirmed his team on Sunday. Canada will play against Japan in a World Cup warm-up before the start of the tournament on Thursday.
There were concerns about Davies’ condition after he left with an injury to his right hamstring in Bayern Munich’s 3-2 win over Hertha Berlin earlier this month.
But there was no serious problem and the 22-year-old is expected to play fine for Canada in Qatar.
He was clearly emotional when he was included in the team and tweeted shortly after the announcement: ‘A child born in a refugee camp was not allowed to make it! But here we go TO THE WORLD CUP. Don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams are unrealistic. KEEP DREAMING, KEEP ACHIEVING!’
Davies, 22, was born in 2000 to Liberian parents in a refugee camp in Ghana. His family had fled the civil war in Liberia. They immigrated to Canada in 2005 and he was granted Canadian citizenship in 2017.
Alphonso Davies posted an emotional tweet after being named in Canada’s World Cup squad
Davis was previously spotted at the Allianz Arena to watch the Seahawks vs the Bucs in Germany
Earlier in the day, Davies was seen at Bayern’s Allianz Arena to watch Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers play against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL’s first game in Germany.
Canada will play Belgium on November 23, Croatia on November 2 and Morocco on December 1.
Herdman’s team drew 2-2 against Bahrain in a friendly the week before, but played the game without a large number of European players.
Canada was also expected to name goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau in his roster as No. 2, but he broke his leg in the MLS Cup final last weekend.
Davies was recently injured playing for Bayern Munich but is expected to be fine for the World Cup
Defender Scott Kennedy also misses through injury following an injury to his shoulder.
“I think everyone is just devastated with how that has developed,” Canadian coach John Herdman said of Crepeau.
“We lost (defender) Scott Kennedy earlier this week and then how it unfolded for Max – just so late in the game and a situation where he had to put his body on the line. It was such a sad moment.
“I think it has mobilized a lot of people. The injury looked pretty bad on TV too. I think it has been a difficult moment, not only for the staff, but also for the player group here. With genuine concern about that injury.’