New Delhi, June 13 -- Canada kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on home soil with plenty of hope and expectation. Facing Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 12, the co-hosts wanted a positive start in front of passionate fans. Yet one big name was missing from the starting XI, and his absence was impossible to ignore.

Alphonso Davies, the Bayern Munich fullback and Canadian captain, did not feature against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Four years ago he wrote his name into history by scoring Canada's first-ever World Cup goal just two minutes into their opening match in Qatar. This time, on home turf, he is watching from the sidelines as his team tries to build momentum without him.

Alphonso Davies is still recovering...