Alphonso Davies has confirmed he will return to action for Canada in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against South Africa, ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding the star defender’s availability.

The announcement comes after Davies missed Canada’s entire group-stage campaign, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether the Bayern Munich star would be fit in time to help his country during the knockout rounds.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since the tournament began, Davies appeared alongside Canada head coach Jesse Marsch at a press conference held at Los Angeles Stadium ahead of Sunday’s crucial fixture.

The 25-year-old admitted that watching from the sidelines throughout the group stage had been emotionally challenging.

“Obviously, it was painful,” Davies said while reflecting on his absence. “The only thing you want to do is play football.”

For the second consecutive FIFA World Cup, Davies’ role with the Canadian men’s national team has been a major talking point. Unlike the previous tournament, however, the uncertainty this time centered entirely on his fitness, as he was unable to feature during the opening stage of the competition.

His expected return provides a significant boost for Canada as the team enters the knockout phase, where every match is an elimination contest. Widely regarded as one of Canada’s greatest footballers, Davies brings world-class pace, defensive strength, and attacking creativity that could prove decisive against South Africa.

Head coach Jesse Marsch expressed confidence in the squad ahead of the Round of 32 encounter, with Davies’ return adding valuable experience and leadership at a critical stage of the tournament.

Canadian supporters will now hope their biggest star can make an immediate impact as the team aims to continue its World Cup journey with a victory on Sunday.