Edmonton –
Alphonso Davies is back in Edmonton and set to make his home town pro debut in Canada’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Commonwealth Stadium this week.
Davies and members of Canada’s National Men’s Team arrived on Monday and will face No.44 Costa Rica on Friday and No.9 Mexico on November 16.
Ticket sales were strong, as was the weather. Temperatures are expected to drop to near freezing levels on game night with an outward risk of flurries.
“It will mean the world for me to see over 50,000 fans,” Davies said. “Seeing all these people in the stadium supporting us will be amazing not only for our confidence but for the next generation of footballers who want to play for this country.”
Canada enters the games third among eight teams in its qualifying group. The top three teams advance to the 2022 World Cup. The fourth-ranked team advance to a play-off against a team yet to be determined.
“I think six points is our goal,” Davies said. “Two home games against two very good teams but we’re here to win.”
Tickets are still available for both games.
Davies hasn’t played in his hometown since joining the Edmonton Strikers, before leaving for Vancouver and the Whitecaps at 14.
He said he had only been to Commonwealth Stadium a few times, including a brief visit to attend a Gray Cup at the time.
“I was there for about five minutes and then I left because I had to go home. I don’t know how I got into the stadium because I didn’t have a ticket, ”he added with a chuckle. “I think I just went to the game, I just walked in and no one saw.”
Davies has 10 goals and 15 assists in 28 senior appearances for Canada, playing both a full-back and a more attacking role.
With files from the Canadian Press
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