CHARLOTTE, NC – We’re not long from Canada’s World Cup squad announcement on Friday evening, and there are still lingering questions about who will and won’t be part of the Canadian team playing in the biggest tournament of the program’s history.Here is everything we are hearing and seeing on the ground in Canada’s training camp, with final squad cuts on the horizon.Latest on Alphonso DaviesAlphonso Davies is still expected to arrive in Edmonton on May 31 after missing out on Canada’s training camp in Charlotte. He remains in Germany working with Bayern Munich to recover from a hamstring injury sustained on May 6.Davies is also expected to address the media in Edmonton.It would be false to suggest his absence has not hung over the Canadian camp. Take Tuesday’s training session, for example: rain began to drench Canadian players. The entire group then literally huddled together, shoulder to shoulder, in the rain to watch Canada set piece coach Nicolas Gagnon describe his upcoming plans. With rain dripping off Canada’s training shirts, Gagnon shouted out the different hand signals coaches will utilize to describe where players should run ahead of a set piece. Players then sprinted off, legs heavier with soaked shorts. There was noticeable energy when trying to push through the rain and execute Gagnon’s demands.These are the small moments that build up over an entire camp and can bring a team together. Players can fall back on these experiences knowing they worked through the elements to execute a plan, together.This is strictly my opinion, but having been in Charlotte for a few days, it feels like Davies should be here for Canada camp.The mood feels different from past camps — exhaustion from lengthy European seasons is evident with some players, and there’s less buoyancy than you’d normally see during Canadian international breaks — and it’s partly on Canada’s leaders to keep morale where it needs to be. The players who have worn the captain’s armband in Davies’ lengthy absence from Canada, Stephen Eustaquio and Jonathan David, lean towards being serious in their approach.Maybe that attitude is what’s required ahead of a World Cup. But either way, how this team moves forward into the biggest tournament of their lives is partly dependent on the tone leaders set early.It will be fascinating to see how Davies — who has not played for Canada since March 2025, remember — integrates into camp.When asked by The Athletic about incorporating Davies, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said the process would be “easy” but admitted he wanted Davies with his Canadian teammates.“Because Alphonso loves being here and the guys love Alphonso,” Marsch said. “Of course, there’s been a lot of public things (stated) when you’re a big player, and you play for Bayern, and (Canadian players) read some things, but they all talk with Alphonso too. We just need to get him into our team. The team knows we’re a good team, with or without Alphonso. But they know we’re a better team when he’s fit and strong and playing well.”Davies has not joined up with the Canada squad yet (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)Injuries and tactical updatesOK, the injuries in Canada’s back line as the World Cup inches closer. Deep breaths, but here we go: Alfie Jones participated in “monitored” training on Thursday. Earlier in the week, he looked ginger at times, appearing not to want to put stress on the ankle he had injured and had since had surgery on.While Jones has progressed better on his ankle injury than many within Canada had hoped, it sounds like he is not in line to start Canada’s opener. His continued progress is something to keep an eye on.I feel confident in Jones’ chances to be at the World Cup. But that’s still not a sure thing.