Alphonso Davies is back at full health and expected to start for Canada in their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final first leg against Guatemala on Friday. It will be the team's first competitive match since the 2026 World Cup.

Head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed the Bayern Munich star's readiness after a 20-month period of intermittent fitness issues. "You can see that his quality is very high," Marsch said. "He's feeling very confident and ... He's very sharp, and he's at 100 per cent." Marsch added that Davies has been training at a very high level and is ready for a significant workload.

Davies is projected to line up on the left wing, a role he has recently occupied for his club. Jonathan David is a certain starter in attack, with Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar also considered locks on the wings. Tani Oluwaseyi is expected to play major minutes alongside David. Marsch stated the team will look to play a proactive, aggressive style of football.

The squad has been reshaped by injuries, with Jonathan Osorio, Stephen Eustáquio, Cyle Larin, and Alistair Johnston among the key absentees. Zorhan Bassong, Theo Corbeanu, and Charles-Andreas Brym have been called in as replacements, while goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau returns after missing the last international window. The full injury list has forced several tactical adjustments.

Friday's match at Estadio Manuel Felipe Carrera in Guatemala City is the first of a two-legged tie. The return leg will be at BMO Field in Toronto on Monday. The winner advances to the 2027 CONCACAF Nations League Finals in Los Angeles and automatically qualifies for the 2027 Gold Cup, while the loser must enter the Gold Cup preliminary round. The aggregate victor will also secure a place in next year's CONMEBOL Copa América.

Canada, who received a bye to the knockout stage as a top-four CONCACAF nation, face a Guatemala side that topped its group and is unbeaten in its last three meetings with the Canadians. Guatemala's recent form includes a 2-0 win over Costa Rica and a draw with Venezuela. Richie Laryea could draw level with Paul Stalteri for sixth in all-time caps with his next appearance. The team's next fixture is this key away leg in Guatemala City, with Marsch emphasizing the importance of a strong defensive performance in a challenging away environment.

This story first appeared at DAZN