Montreal-born Moise Bombito taking part in modified training as World Cup status hangs in balance

Canada defender Moïse Bombito shoots in a penalty shootout the Copa America third place soccer match against Uruguay in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, July 13, 2024. (Nell Redmond/AP Photo)

Canadian defender Moise Bombito took part in modified training Monday as his status for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to hang in the balance.

TSN’s Matthew Scianitti relayed the following update from the session: Bombito [leg] is training away from the rest of the team, alongside Alfie Jones [ankle]. Bombito is running with a hitch and going through passing drills. He has tape on his lower left leg. Canada’s director of sports science Pierre Barrieu is working with Bombito.

Ralph Priso, a leading candidate to replace Bombito should he be ruled out of the tournament, is in the return to play protocol, Canada Soccer said Monday. Priso was running on the field in sneakers, not cleats, for the team’s practice.

Team captain Alphonso Davies was also in the return to play protocol Monday, doing running and jumping drills as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

It was reported on Saturday that the squad was getting set to replace Bombito on its 26-player roster after the team determined the centre back’s surgically repaired tibia is not healthy enough for him to compete.

However, head coach Jesse Marsch said Sunday he will give Bombito “up until the last minute” to show he can be ready at any point in the tournament.

Bombito broke his leg last October and returned to play 30 minutes in a friendly against Uzbekistan before limping off the field.

Canada has until June 11 at 3:00pm ET - 24 hours prior to its opening World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina - to draw a replacement from the team’s provisional 55-player roster, if Bombito does not show the form Marsch is looking for.

Bombito is one of a long list of injuries for the Canadian team, joining Marcelo Flores (torn ACL - out for tournament), Alphonso Davies (hamstring), Jacob Shaffelburg (hamstring), Ali Ahmed (hamstring), and Alfie Jones (ankle).