It’s now only a month before Canada takes to the field for its FIFA World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the hits keep on coming. Jesse Marsch’s side with rocked with more significant injury news this past week with word that captain Alphonso Davies is set to miss up to five weeks with a hamstring injury. The Edmonton product picked up the injury in Bayern Munich’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal tie last week.
With the seismic impact Davies’ potential unavailability makes on the roster, Steven Caldwell has jumped into action with some changes to his squad.
Moving out of Caldwell’s team are Bournemouth forward Daniel Jebbison, who spent the season on loan with Preston North End, and Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio. Coming back in are Union SG’s Promise David and David “Junior” Hoilett of Swindon Town.
Hoilett’s inclusion here is the biggest response to the Davies injury. While not a like-for-like replacement, the 35-year-old veteran is versatile and can be employed at multiple positions. On top of that, having a player of his experience on what is mostly a very young squad could be invaluable.
As for David, he would have been on this squad no questions asked if he were healthy this season. The Brampton, Ont. native was tearing the Belgian Pro League apart for a second straight season with nine goals in 17 appearances following a 19-goal campaign last year. But the 24-year-old David underwent surgery for a ruptured hip tendon in February and his participation in the tournament had appeared to be a long shot. Then last week came word that his recovery was proceeding ahead of schedule and, should he be cleared by an MRI late this month, David will almost assuredly be on the team.
With two coming in, two came out and in the cases of Jebbison and Osorio, the decision by Caldwell is largely form-related. Jebbison, 22, scored six goals in 38 Championship appearances this season, but has scored only once in 2026. His goal against Swansea at the end of February was his lone marker in his last 24 appearances across all competitions.
Veteran midfielder Osorio has not shone recently for a TFC team ravaged by injury and one that fell in embarrassing fashion to Canadian Premier League side Atletico Ottawa last week in Canadian Championship action. Caldwell’s decision to drop Osorio was also made with a look to Marsch’s tactical options. The former Scotland defender doesn’t see a scenario in which Osorio will be the recipient of significant minutes.
Even with the injury to Davies, he has not been removed from Caldwell’s squad. While he is no longer locked in as a starter, Davies will undoubtedly be a part of the team if he can play any part in it. His current recovery timeline puts fitness for Canada’s group-stage matches within reach.
Here’s a look at this week’s squad.
Race for the Roster: Week 43 (4-4-2)
Forwards
STARTERS: Jonathan David (Juventus) and Cyle Larin (Southampton, on loan from Mallorca)
BENCH: David “Junior” Hoilett (Swindon Town), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Promise David (Union SG) INJ, and Marcelo Flores (Tigres)
Midfield and Defenders
STARTING MIDFIELDERS: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) INJ, Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo), Stephen Eustaquio (Los Angeles FC, on loan from Porto) and Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal)
BENCH: Jacob Shaffelburg (Los Angeles), Liam Millar (Hull City), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht) INJ, Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC) and Ali Ahmed (Norwich City)
STARTING DEFENDERS: Richie Laryea (Toronto FC) INJ, Derek Cornelius (Rangers, on loan from Marseille), Moise Bombito (Nice) INJ and Alistair Johnston (Celtic)
BENCH: Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough) INJ, Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire) and Luc de Fougerolles (Dender, on loan from Fulham)
Goalkeeper
STARTER: Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami)
BENCH: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City) and Owen Goodman (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Crystal Palace)
