Canada weigh Davies start as Marsch eyes fitness edge over Morocco

HOUSTON, July 1 : Canada coach Jesse Marsch has not yet decided if captain Alphonso Davies will start against Morocco in their World Cup last 16 clash in Houston on Saturday and suggested his side's superior fitness could be a factor in the tie.

Davies played his first minutes at the tournament in the round of 32 victory over South Africa, coming on in the 75th to have a big impact as Canada won 1-0 with an added-time goal.

That was his first appearance for the side since March 2025, but Marsch said the 25-year-old was ready to start if needed.

"We were really happy with Alphonso and he feels really good today," Marsch told reporters on Wednesday. "I thought he had a good impact on the game and, more than anything, what you saw is that South Africa really respected him when he came in.

"So we will be thinking about how to use Alphonso again in this game, whether from the start or off the bench."

Marsch praised his side's fitness, which will be tested as they train in the Texas heat this week, though Saturday’s game will be played in the closed, air-conditioned Houston Stadium.

"If you look at the run data from our games, we've covered a lot of ground, and we've managed games that way," he added.

"We've outrun every opponent, so we know we're fit. It's more managing loading, especially with the heat, so that we don't over train the players.

"And especially knowing that Morocco put in 120 minutes (against Netherlands in their last-32 clash on Monday). We have to say to ourselves, one of the advantages we can have is to be fresher and fitter."

Marsch said that although Canada may make slight adjustments to their gameplan to counter particular Moroccan threats, they will stick to what has worked in the World Cup so far.

"We won't