Celtic right back Alistair Johnston has acknowledged Canada’s mounting injury concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup but expressed confidence that the squad’s key players will return in time for the tournament, which opens June 12 in Toronto.
Speaking on Canada Soccer’s On Guard series, Johnston said: “Look, it’s sport. Injuries do happen. I think we’ve been really unlucky this year. If you look at the silver lining, there’s a chance we’re all back and potentially fresh for the World Cup. Jonathan David is the only one who might be indestructible. But you look at Alphonso Davies, myself, Stephen Eustáquio, Derek Cornelius, Moïse Bombito — these guys are massive players for us, and they help.”
Davies has battled a series of muscle issues since returning from a torn ACL, while Bombito is seven months removed from a broken left leg, with Canada Soccer sending a physiotherapist to Nice to support his recovery. Eustáquio developed a blood clot during rehabilitation after a collision with a referee in an LAFC match. Johnston himself has not played for Celtic since October, following hamstring surgery.
Canada opens World Cup play against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12, before facing Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24