Alphonso Davies Injury Update: Is Davies Playing vs. South Africa in World Cup?

Canada star left back Alphonso Davies has battled a hamstring injury at World Cup 2026, missing all three group-stage matches.

Throughout the group stage, Canada manager Jesse Marsch labeled Davies as “available” for Matchday 2 vs. Qatar, and the Bayern Munich star was expected to have a role on Matchday 3 vs. Switzerland. 

Davies did not log 1 minute, but that’s expected to change for today’s first World Cup knockout stage match between South Africa and Canada at 3 p.m. ET on FOX.

Will Davies take the pitch on Sunday? What could his role look like? Let’s look at the latest Alphonso Davies injury update for Sunday’s World Cup Round of 32 match and how his availability impacts South Africa vs. Canada picks on PrizePicks.

Make your Davies and South Africa vs. Canada picks for World Cup 2026 on PrizePicks now!

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Alphonso Davies Injury Update: Is Davies Playing Today vs. South Africa in World Cup?

As mentioned, Davies is expected to finally play on Sunday. He suffered the hamstring injury in Bayern Munich’s Champions League semifinal match vs. Paris Saint-Germain on May 6.

Muscle injuries have a habit of lingering, likely explaining why Canada was overly cautious throughout the group stage. Despite being labeled as available on multiple occasions, Les Rouges focused on having their brightest star fully fit for when it matters most — the knockout stage.

The risk paid off, as Canada finished second in Group B with four points. However, not playing Davies on Matchday 3 vs. Switzerland contributed to Canada failing to win the group. The Group B winner, Switzerland, is set to face Algeria on Thursday, July 2, in Vancouver, Canada. 

Les Rouges is now the only host country to not have home advantage in the Round of 32 in the World Cup bracket. Lacking home advantage certainly hurts, but PrizePicks Team Picks still tabs Canada as the clear favorite with a 1.63x payout to win vs. South Africa, which has a 5x payout to win.

Adding Davies back to the equation is boosting Canada’s chances of qualifying for the Round of 16. But what will his role look like, and how will it shift player projections for South Africa vs. Canada?

What Canada Players to Target for PrizePicks If Davies Is Limited?

Projected starting lineups still have Davies as a substitute, with Richie Laryea filling left back. Davies’ projections vs. South Africa include the following:

• 0.5 Fouls Drawn (Goblin)
• 0.5 Fouls (Goblin)
• 0.5 Goal + Assist (Demon)
• 3.5 Shots (Demon)

Rumors have swirled of Davies making the starting lineup as a left winger, where he began his career. His eye-popping speed and exceptional dribbling give Davies the unique ability to flourish on the attack as a defender. Plus, that extra boost may be needed against a South Africa squad that often sits in a low block.

If Davies fills left wing, that could remove LW Ali Ahmed from the starting lineup. Ahmed has tallied 1.14 shots (57th percentile), a 74.5% successful pass rate (10th percentile), and 0.57 successful dribbles per 90 (51st percentile) over three appearances at World Cup 2026, via FotMob.

Canada could be more prone to making this move with Laryea providing solid play at left back with 5.11 recoveries (83rd percentile), 7.89 duels won (90th percentile), 0.33 shots on target (78th percentile), and 0.11 assists (79th percentile) per 90 through three fixtures.

Keep a close eye on confirmed lineups for South Africa vs. Canada. Will Davies start? If so, does he replace Ahmed at left winger or fill his traditional left back role, sending Laryea to the bench?

If Davies is featured in limited minutes, Laryea and Ahmed should continue to benefit for stat projections on PrizePicks.

Here’s who could be impacted by Davies’ status for South Africa vs. Canada picks for PrizePicks.

• LB Richie Laryea — 40.5 Passes Attempted / 1.5 Shots (Demon) / 0.5 Crosses
• LW Ali Ahmed — 2.5 Shots (Demon) / 0.5 Shots on Target (Demon) / 0.5 Goal + Assist (Demo)

If we see Davies in any capacity today, the left side of Canada’s attack will be impacted. He is the face of Canadian soccer and elevates their chances of extending the country’s best World Cup run yet.

Over 13 matches in the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, Davies flashed his ability to contribute on the attack with a 93.6% successful pass rate (97th percentile), 0.52 assists (97th percentile), 1.55 chances created (79th percentile), and 2.24 successful dribbles per 90 (100th percentile).

Combine Canada to Win + Alphonso Davies picks on PrizePicks

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Make South Africa vs. Canada World Cup 2026 Picks on PrizePicks

With Davies finally expected to play for Canada, this should impact player picks for PrizePicks. If he starts, expect Davies to replace Laryea at left back or Ali Ahmed as a left winger.

Don’t wait until lock — make your South Africa vs. Canada picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right on every World Cup game.

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