Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic app.EDMONTON — After missing the first portion of Canada’s World Cup training camp, Alphonso Davies has returned to the men’s national team. The Bayern Munich left back insists that despite recent reports, he was not forced to stay in Germany to recover from a hamstring injury.“I never felt forced to do anything,” Davies said after Canada’s 2-0 friendly win over Uzbekistan. “Obviously, (Bayern Munich) gave their suggestions. We had a conversation. I think they reached out with the national team and made a good plan. And that’s the plan that we came up with now. I think being forced to not play and stuff, no, they just gave suggestions, obviously. They’re also working out for my well-being. But to put the two together to come out with a good plan was nice.”After Davies was injured in the second leg of Bayern Munich’s Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain, reports emerged that Bayern would have the final say on how Davies’ recovery would be handled. The concern over whether Davies would play in the World Cup was exacerbated when he did not immediately report to Canada’s training camp in Charlotte, N.C. Most Canadian players convened for camp on either May 24 or 25, though Davies did not report, instead continuing his rehab in Germany. He did not play against Uzbekistan.Throughout camp, head coach Jesse Marsch has made it clear that Canada Soccer, Davies and Bayern Munich have worked together to ensure Davies’ return at the best possible time, and said Sunday that Davies would continue with individual training for the time being.As much as Canada Soccer might want otherwise, persistent questions about when Davies will be able to play in the World Cup have remained.“Obviously me and Jesse spoke about this,” Davies said. “Now we just have to see how everything goes over the next couple of days. Just continue my rehab, my progression and see how I’m feeling day by day, step by step.”Davies did not provide specifics on his timeline for returning. Canada’s World Cup opener on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto is fast approaching, and not having its most recognizable player for the first men’s World Cup game in its home country could feel like a disappointment for the entire program.Still, rushing Davies just to meet the moment certainly doesn’t sound like the best course of action for anyone.“Obviously depending on whether if I’m fit enough to make (the June 12 game), time will tell and I can’t really say right now,” Davies said. “Obviously I can say yes or no, but it all depends on how the rehab goes.”Wearing Canada’s new track suit made by NOCTA, the Drake x Nike collaboration, Davies at times smiled when discussing his teammates, yet appeared fatigued as questions continued. He is believed to have arrived in Edmonton from Germany late Sunday evening.“Just the energy of the team,” Davies said with a smile when asked what he missed in being away. “We have a great dynamic of guys that love to be around each other. And there’s nobody here that feels left out. I think everybody that comes into camp feels like they’re home and these are their brothers. Off the pitch everything, we’re just having fun with each other but we know that on the pitch it’s time for business for sure.”Before Monday’s game kicked off, Davies ran laps around the field through the rain with a Canada staff member, and throughout the friendly he looked upbeat while not appearing to show any hesitation in his stride. Afterward, he gave high-fives to nearby fans.Davies has not played for Canada since March 2025, when he tore his ACL in the Nations League third place match. Monday marked the first time since 2024 that Davies spoke to Canadian media. He is one of the faces of a program playing World Cup games on home soil. Undoubtedly, when Canada booked this friendly against Uzbekistan in Davies’ hometown of Edmonton, there was a hope internally that he would be available to play.Since March 2025, Davies has suffered multiple injuries that have kept him away from the national team.“It was tough,” Davies said. “The last year was obviously an up and down moment for me with the ACL that happened with the new muscle injuries here and there. But at the end of the day, I think I just have to keep my head down and keep working. I can’t let that affect me. Obviously, it was tough mentally and physically, but I’m feeling good now and hoping to recover as quickly as possible.”What “as quickly as possible” ends up looking like remains to be seen. Marsch has been firm in his belief that Davies will play in the World Cup, adding on Monday that the team is “hopeful” Davies can play at some point in Canada’s group stage, which concludes on June 24 against Switzerland. Marsch suggested Davies could play “a few minutes” in the opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina.“We want to give him a chance to be a big player in this tournament for us,” Marsch said. “And so we know the deeper that we go, the better chance we’ll have for that.”With just 10 days remaining until Canada’s World Cup begins, Davies is one of multiple Canadian players recently beset by injury. Marsch and Canada have been adamant that they do not want that to be the story.Yet until Davies returns, the questions will remain.“Obviously everybody’s fighting for the same goal,” Davies said. “But for us as a team, I think right now (Canada has to) focus on what’s ahead, what’s in front of us at this moment. I think right now the main focus on the team is: we got through this game and now everybody’s going to recover and prepare for the next friendly game that we have and take it day by day.”Jun 2, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms