MONTREAL – By the time Jesse Marsch finished his postgame press conference following Canada’s 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their final World Cup tune-up game, it was fair to wonder if he had forgotten something.For the first time in weeks — quite literally — Canada’s head coach barely mentioned the dreaded “I” word. Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson referenced Canada’s injuries a few times, sure. But as an outsider, Hallgrímsson doesn’t fully understand the reality that Canada finds themselves in, with their World Cup opener less than a week away.Almost the entirety of their training camp — from Charlotte, over to Edmonton and now in Montreal — has been dominated by questions about who will be fit, and when. With key names working their way back from serious injuries and many players being named in the squad despite not playing in months, Marsch was seen as taking a risk with his squad.Around Canada’s camp, journalists have waited eagerly every day for updates on who is working to modified and monitored plans, or who has graduated to regular training. As a result, it was worth wondering early in the camp whether injuries would derail Canada’s World Cup.Those questions should not be asked anymore.Jesse Marsch watches on from the sidelines. (Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)Canada’s World Cup is essentially here, with their opener under a week away. And their friendly draw with Ireland was a reminder that they cannot let injuries define their World Cup. There are too many players primed for the opportunity a home World Cup provides to succumb to a lazy narrative. Marsch spent most of 2025 expanding the team’s player pool and developing players outside his core of stars.Watching Canada against Ireland, it was clear it is time to trust those players — and the system Marsch has tried to implement — when it matters most.Moise Bombito, Canada’s star centre-back, played 30 minutes against Uzbekistan before coming off. Those were his first minutes since he broke his leg in October. Bombito is one of Canada’s most important players but suffered what Marsch called a “bit of a reaction” after the game. He did not play against Ireland. Bombito now looks unlikely to start Canada’s World Cup opener, at the very least.Is Canada’s World Cup over as a result? Hardly. Luc de Fougerolles, just 20, started against Ireland and stepped in incredibly well for Bombito. The young Fulham defender is evidence of Marsch’s development of the national team, and of why injuries should not be considered disastrous.De Fougerolles never made a wrong step against Ireland and showed the kind of progressive ball movements Bombito often does.