Jesse Marsch assure que David sera sélectionné pour l’équipe du Canada à la Coupe du Monde : « Il est en meilleure forme que jamais ».

Promise David is going to the World Cup.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed as much on Monday, speaking to reporters including Canadian Soccer Daily after announcing his 32-man training camp squad in Charlotte this week ahead of the final roster announcement on Friday.

David’s progress in his recovery from hip surgery has been quick, and an MRI for the 24-year-old striker revealed no setbacks, reported Matthew Scianitti on Thursday.

The Brampton, Ontario native ruptured a hip tendon in February while playing for Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, an injury that often carries a recovery timeline ranging from three to six months. Marsch said for months that he would keep a spot on his roster open just in case David is ready to play in time, and that has turned out to be the case.

Not only will he be able to play in the tournament, but he’ll be ready to play in Canada’s opening match on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina according to Marsch.

“He’s looking incredibly strong, he trained all last week here with us, he did a lot of fitness,” Marsch said, adding that “he looks fitter than he’s ever looked since we’ve known him.

“He looks as close to 100 per cent as we could hope, like he’s going to make the squad, and he’s going to be ready for June 12, I’m certain of that. He’s had a really good week, he’s put a lot of hard work into his nutrition, his sleep, his recovery, his gym work, he’s been very diligent.

“We all know the personality of Toby, and to see his level of desire and commitment to get himself ready has been a revelation for him, and so we’re going to use that in all right ways. He’s going to be ready June 12.”

David has enjoyed an impressive rise in Europe, scoring 39 goals in 78 appearances for USG while also netting three times in eight matches for Canada.

David’s inclusion, even if it’s a limited substitute role, is a major lift for a Canadian attack that has managed just four goals across the last six international friendlies. Standing six-foot-five, David combines a commanding physical presence with sharp instincts around goal, making him a difficult matchup for defenders inside the penalty area.

That combined with Jonathan David’s world class finishing and quality alongside him gives Canada a dangerous 1-2 punch that could also feature the rejuvenated Cyle Larin or Villarreal’s Tani Oluwaseyi.