Alphonso Davies’ health dominates Canada’s buildup to World Cup opener against Belgium

The mystery around Canada star Alphonso Davies' fitness at the World Cup will soon be answered.

Will he or won’t he play Wednesday? The mystery around Canada star Alphonso Davies’ fitness at the World Cup will soon be answered.

If not definitively.

The Bayern Munich star has not played since walking off the field clutching the back of his right thigh Nov. 6 in a Bundesliga game at Hertha Berlin. An upbeat Davies arrived late in Qatar, landing last Friday after remaining in Germany for treatment of a hamstring strain.

Bayern subsequently said his participation at the World Cup was “not at risk,” which while positive was not exactly a timetable on return to play,

Canada Soccer has not made the 22-year-old from Edmonton available at its daily post-training media sessions. But Davies took the initiative Sunday, pronouncing himself fit in an interview with TSN.

“I’m ready to start,” he said, referencing the 41st-ranked Canadians’ mid-week tournament opener against No. 2 Belgium.

READ MORE: Team Canada’s Alphonso Davies lands as Doha heats up ahead of World Cup kickoff

Coach John Herdman was far more cautious when he talked to the media Saturday. He said while Davies was able to take part in some of the contact work in training, “he’s still building towards hitting his top speed.”