Jesse Marsch made four big changes to the starting XI for Canada’s Round of 32 tie against South Africa at the FIFA World Cup.
Leamington, Ont.’s Stephen Eustáquio returns to the starting lineup after missing the the 2-1 loss to Switzerland on Wednesday with Mathieu Choinière returning to the bench. The Porto midfielder missed training ahead of the match for an undisclosed reason and started the loss on the bench. He came into the game in the 58th to replace Choinière.
Moise Bombito will start at centre back and make his first competitive start for Canada since 2025, replacing Luc De Fougerolles.
Tani Oluwaseyi will enter for Cyle Larin, and Liam Millar will start for Ali Ahmed.
Eustáquio will once again wear the captain’s armband in the absence of Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich superstar will once again dress and be available for selection, but whether or not he makes his tournament debut remains to be seen.
Following Wednesday’s loss, Marsch admitted to using Davies’ status as “a decoy” with the 25-year-old left-back never intended to feature in the match. The former Vancouver Whitecaps man has not played since a May 6 hamstring injury incurred in a Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Davies told reporters on Saturday that he is ready to play against South African and Marsch insinuated that he will play at some point.
Anderlecht’s Nathan Saliba retains his place in the starting XI, inheriting the spot of the injured Ismaël Koné.
The winner of Sunday’s match advances to a Round of 16 tie in Houston against the winner of Monday’s game between Morocco and the Netherlands in Monterrey.
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CANADA STARTING XI VS. SOUTH AFRICA
Maxime Crepeau; Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea; Liam Millar, Stephen Eustáquio, Nathan Saliba, Tajon Buchanan; Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi
