Football Insider dropped a bit of a bombshell via former scout Mick Brown. Apparently, Leeds United are having serious second thoughts about chasing Newcastle‘s Nick Pope. On paper, it sounds like a...
Canada open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but Alphonso Davies is not part of the lineup. Canada play the first of their three group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto. Despite the importance of the match, the team’s biggest star, Alphonso Davies, will not be part of the starting lineup. The 25-year-old left back suffered a hamstring injury on May 6 while playing for Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Since then, he has focused on his recovery process in an effort to be in the best possible condition for the World Cup. That process, while gradual, has progressed favorably. However, the player, head coach Jesse Marsch, and Canada‘s medical staff decided not to rush his return and risk any setbacks. As a result, Davies will not be part of the starting lineup against Bosnia and Herzegovina, although he will be available among the substitutes. Davies himself had spoken about his priorities when planning his preparation for the start of the World Cup, explaining that if missing the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was necessary to ensure a full recovery, he would have no hesitation in doing so. Today’s starters, presented by @GE_Appliances 🍁 JD and Tani up top🍁 Max is in goal🍁 Staqs captains the sideLET’S GO CANADA!#CANMNT #OurGameNow pic.twitter.com/UsbLKh2AVz— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 12, 2026 “The first game is coming up pretty quickly. I think we understand how important the first game is. But we understand recovery is always an important thing,” the Canadian defender said last week. “There’s no need to rush, just keep continuing the recovery.” Alphonso Davies’ replacement With Alphonso Davies still not at 100 percent physically or match-fit, Canada will have to face what is perhaps the most important game in the national team’s history without their biggest star. That is because of the significance of opening a World Cup on home soil and the importance of securing a positive result against Bosnia and Herzegovina to put themselves in a strong position to advance to the Round of 32. With that in mind, head coach Jesse Marsch had to look for alternatives when putting together his lineup. In recent years, Alphonso Davies has played internationally both as a left back and in more advanced positions. On Friday, Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea will occupy the left side of Canada’s defense. Meanwhile, Hull City player Liam Millar will take up a role on the left side of midfield. Canada’s upcoming challenges Alphonso Davies’ absence from the starting lineup on Friday will give him six additional days to continue building toward full fitness before the next match. Canada will face their second Group B test on June 18 against Qatar in Vancouver. Six days later, they will close out their World Cup group-stage campaign against Switzerland.
Alex: I like Rohl but if his heart isn't in the Rangers job then he should leave because we want people at our club who are committed. James: Rohl can go if he wants, we were very poor when it really mattered last season and it was unforgivable how he treated James Tavernier on a dead rubber game.
Stewart progressed up the ladder from the West of Scotland League with Ardeer Thistle and Kilwinning Rangers to Albion Rovers, St Mirren, Ross County and Sunderland before his switch to Southampton in 2023. Stewart earned his third Scotland cap as a substitute in their 4-0 victory over Bolivia at the weekend as Steve Clarke's side prepare to begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti on Saturday.
Loan James McAtee - he needs guaranteed game time to regain his confidence. Sell Dan Ndoye as he hasn't shown progress over the season but is suited to European leagues and will probably have an excellent World Cup. Paul: I'd keep Bakwa, who after a tough first season has shown glimpses of his potential.
Later today, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will get underway. There are two matches on Thursday’s docket: Host team Mexico gets things started against South Africa, while a little later South Korea will square off with Czechia. And in short order, the other 44 teams will join the fray. Here, we are keeping track on […]
One of the biggest sporting events on the planet is about to begin. Starting on Thursday, the FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The World Cup begins with the group stage, as the 48 teams in the field battle it out to secure one of the 32 spots in […]
In the days following Unai Emery's appointment as Aston Villa head coach, John McGinn was north of the border catching up with some old friends when some classic west of Scotland pessimism set in. McGinn lifted Villa's first major silverware in 30 years last month and the 31-year-old has just enjoyed his highest-scoring season at club level. A crunching tackle at the Holte End against Wigan on his Villa debut endeared him to the support.
