Canada approach the first-ever World Cup knockout meeting between the two nations with Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies available for selection. Canada coach Jesse Marsch says he is counting on Davies’s return as an “X-factor” ahead of Canada’s Round of 32 clash with South Africa in Los Angeles on Sunday. Multiple reports confirm Davies makes his first media appearance of the tournament in Los Angeles, aligning with the expectation of his return for the knockout stage.
The coverage also notes that Davies’s involvement has been closely watched throughout the competition. Separate reporting highlights that Canada’s World Cup run ended without Davies playing in their match against Morocco, which has renewed discussion around how his injury was managed. That retrospective context is contrasted with the current outlook for Canada, who are preparing for what is described as a historic knockout tie against newcomers to the Round of 16.
South Africa, like Canada, has not previously reached the World Cup knockouts, adding to the significance of the matchup in Los Angeles.
