Alphonso Davies: From refugee camp to World Cup
Football
By
Odero Charles
| Nov 15, 2022
Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies on Monday posted an inspirational message after being named in Canada's squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Davies was born in the Ghanaian refugee camp of Buduburam to Liberian parents who fled the civil war in their country.
According to UNHCR, Davies' family were able to immigrate to Canada when Alphonso was five, eventually settling in Edmonton, Alberta.
At 15, Davies began playing professional football and only a year later he had his national team debut, making him the youngest player ever on Canada's Men's National Team.
And now Davies is the team's main star despite injury worries.
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Taking to Twitter, the 22-year-old looked back on his difficulties and expressed his joy at being able to play at the World Cup.
"A kid born in a refugee camp wasn't supposed to make it! But here we are GOING TO THE WORLD CUP. Don't let no one tell you that your dreams are unrealistic. KEEP DREAMING, KEEP ACHIEVING!" he wrote.
A kid born in a refugee camp wasn't supposed to make it! But here we are GOING TO THE WORLD CUP. Don't let no one tell you that your dreams are unrealistic. KEEP DREAMING, KEEP ACHIEVING! pic.twitter.com/GT4hjz4ebO - Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) November 13, 2022
Canada returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and they are aiming to go deep in the tournament in their second-ever appearance, in Qatar.
Canada plays Japan in an exhibition on Thursday at Dubai, United Arab Emirates, then opens Group F play against Belgium on 23 November before facing Croatia four days later and Morocco on Dec. 1.
Three players are from Toronto and one each from Minnesota and Vancouver. Three are based in Belgium, two each in France, Portugal and Turkey, and one apiece in England, Germany, Greece, Scotland, Serbia and Switzerland.
Players dropped included defenders Zachary Brault-Guillard,
Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry and Lukas MacNaughton (Toronto); midfielder Mathieu Choiniere; and forwards Ayo Akinola, Jayden Nelson and Jacob Shaffelburg.
The roster:
26 players, 1 dream ??#CANMNT x @CIBC #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/cjN1TnqPXf - Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 13, 2022
Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota), James Pantemis (Montreal)
Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe (Hatayspor, Turkey), Derek Cornelius (Panetolikos, Greece), Alistair Johnston (Montreal), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Kamal Miller (Montreal), Steven Vitoria (Chaves, Portugal), Joel Waterman (Montreal)
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (Porto, Portugal), Liam Fraser (Deinze, Belgium), Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas, Turkey), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto), Ismael Kone (Montreal), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), Samuel Piette (Montreal), David Wotherspoon (St Johnstone, Scotland)
Forwards: Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge, Belgium), Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver); Jonathan David (Lille, France), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich, Germany), Junior Hoilett (Reading, England), Cyle Larin (Club Brugge, Belgium), Liam Millar (Basel, Switzerland), Ike Ugbo (Troyes, France)