Bosnia-Herzegovina preparing to face Davies-less Canada in World Cup opener

Nikola Vasilj knows all about Alphonso Davies.

The Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper plied his trade in Germany's top division over the last two seasons.

Davies, meanwhile, continued to star for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich as the club secured back-to-back league titles.

Canada's talismanic force also appears unlikely to suit up for the country's World Cup opener Friday — and that suits Vasilj just fine.

"One of the most important players," the 30-year-old said Tuesday during a brief media availability before training. "Actually, the most important player for them, taking into consideration what he's doing in the Bundesliga and also with the national team lately."

Davies is continuing to work back from a hamstring injury as one of the tournament co-hosts prepare to face the Bosnians on home soil.

Alphonso Davies will play in the World Cup, head coach says

The 25-year-old was limited to 23 club appearances in all competitions this campaign and hasn't suited up for the national team since March 2025. His importance as the 30th-ranked Canadians look to win their first-ever World Cup match is clear, but Vasilj said the lightning-quick left back's status won't impact No. 64 Bosnia-Herzegovina's approach.

"That's of course a good thing for us," the St. Pauli keeper said of Davies being a major question mark. "But doesn't mean that it's going to be different, and for us, actually, doesn't change a lot.

"It's just about putting the focus on our game and what we can do, and just doing things that we showed we can do in the qualifications."

The Bosnians, who will also face No. 19 Switzerland in Los Angeles on June 18 before wrapping up their Group B play June 24 against No. 57 Qatar in Seattle, held their training session at a park