Alphonso Davies has enjoyed a meteoric rise since breaking through with the Vancouver Whitecaps and later establishing himself at Bayern Munich, quickly becoming Canada’s best player and captain. That’s why his absence from Canada’s roster for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup has raised plenty of questions among fans.
The Canadian national team has grown into one of Concacaf’s top contenders in recent years, joining Mexico and the USMNT at the top of the region. After returning to the World Cup stage at Qatar 2022—their first appearance since 1986—Canada has continued its push to end a long title drought that stretches back to its 2000 Gold Cup triumph.
With Jesse Marsch taking over as head coach in May 2024, Canada is looking to take the next step. “I’ve explained my feelings about this tournament to the team over the last months, but I didn’t really have to. They all said, ‘We’re coming, we want to win it.’ That’s a big statement, but that’s how they feel. I’m glad I coach a team that feels that way,” Marsch said in a press conference ahead of the 2025 Gold Cup, where Davies will be notably absent.
Why is Alphonso Davies out?
Alphonso Davies will miss the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup as he continues his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Bayern Munich star injured the ACL in his right knee in late March and has been sidelined ever since.
The injury occurred during Canada’s third-place match against the USMNT in the Concacaf Nations League. Though Davies started the match, his time on the pitch was brief. Just 10 minutes in, he went down with the knee injury and required on-field medical attention before being substituted.
see also
Pochettino’s firm response to Pulisic: ‘I am the coach, not a mannequin’
With that setback, much of 2025 is already lost for the Canadian star. According to the medical staff overseeing his recovery, Davies is targeting a return to action by late September, provided there are no complications during rehabilitation.
Davies also spoke candidly about the mental toll of his injury. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, he admitted, “I’m not going to lie, that was hard. I had a mental breakdown. I don’t know what came over me. I went to take a shower, and I just broke down in tears and panic.”
Drawn into Group B alongside Honduras (their opening opponent), Curaçao, and El Salvador, Canada remains one of the tournament’s favorites—even if the players prefer to downplay expectations. Still, with Davies, their star and captain, sidelined, Jesse Marsch will need to find answers to cover his absence.
