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Canadian star Alphonso Davies is ‘increasingly’ missing his country’s first World Cup match in 36 years vs. Belgium after straining his hamstring at Bayern Munich
Canada national team and Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is doubting whether he will start in his country’s first World Cup match in 36 years.
The 22-year-old is struggling with an injury cloud and will miss Canada’s opening game against Belgium ‘increasingly’ on Wednesday.
His right-back suffered a persistent hamstring injury, forcing him off the field as a forced substitute during Bayern’s 3–2 win over Hertha BSC on 5 November.
Alphonso Davies was all smiles during his FIFA World Cup photo shoot in Qatar’s capital
Per The athleticDavies joined the national team on Friday, five days after most of his Europe-based brethren.
While his absence will leave a huge hole, Canadian coach John Herdman believes his country still has plenty to offer if he can’t play.
“We were able to perform when Alphonso was out of the team,” Herdman said on Saturday.
The Canadian national team poster boy is in serious danger of missing his country’s opening game
Davies stumbled off the field with a hamstring strain during Bayern’s win against Hertha in November
“It’s not something that keeps me awake. As a coach you are always throwing the dice at these moments.
“We have to get this right because it could be a long tournament for Canada. And the last thing I want is for Alphonso to miss this.’
While there may be external eagerness to see Davies involved with The Maple Leafs’, Herdman and company are looking at his longer-term recovery.
Canada will have to blunt Belgium’s powerful attack, including Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne
‘We said [FC Bayern] we don’t want to risk Alphonso. These are three games we need to get him ready for.
“If he’s not ready for the first, we don’t want to risk it. It’s one of those situations.’
More likely, Davies will see World Cup action for the first time against Croatia in the Canadians’ second group stage match on November 27.
The speedy full-back appeared to be pulling up as he chased Hertha Berlin striker Marco Richter (right)