The report says Canada must submit a replacement from the provisional roster by Thursday. That turns the decision into more than simple administration.
Bombito’s situation also seems especially frustrating because he had reportedly tried to return in time for the finals, only for the same leg problem to flare again.
If Bombito is ruled out, Canada would not only be losing depth. They would be losing a defender who appears to have become an established part of the national-team picture over a relatively short period.
That matters in tournament football, where one uncomfortable matchup can define a group-stage game.
The next choice is unlikely to be about reputation alone. It is about fit.
For Canada, the cleanest solution may be a straightforward like-for-like defender rather than a tactical reshuffle elsewhere in the squad.
The next key moment comes on Thursday, when the squad deadline arrives. After that, all focus shifts to the opener with Bosnia and Herzegovina - and to whether Canada can absorb a late blow without losing stability at the back.