Canada begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.

Toronto: Co-hosts Canada were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening Group B match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after substitute Cyle Larin cancelled out Jovo Lukic's first-half strike in front of a packed crowd in Toronto on Friday.
Playing their first-ever World Cup match on home soil, Canada dominated possession and created the better chances for large parts of the contest but were left frustrated by a resilient Bosnian defence and a string of missed opportunities.
The hosts nearly struck early when Jonathan David found space inside the box after a flowing move, but his effort was directed straight at Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Canada continued to push forward, but Bosnia capitalised on a set-piece opportunity in the 21st minute. Lukic rose highest following a corner and found the net to silence the home crowd and hand the visitors a surprise 1-0 lead.
The goal shifted momentum temporarily, with Bosnia retreating deeper into their own half and inviting pressure. Canada responded by intensifying their attacks but struggled to find the final pass against a packed Bosnian defence.
Bosnia's goalscorer Lukic was later shown a yellow card as the visitors looked increasingly content to protect their advantage.
After the restart, Canada continued to dominate proceedings and came close to levelling through Tani Oluwaseyi, who collided heavily with Vasilj while chasing a long ball. The home crowd appealed for a penalty, but the Bosnian goalkeeper had clearly reached the ball first.
The best chance of the match then fell to Canada. A slick passing sequence carved open the Bosnian defence before Richie Laryea's effort beat the goalkeeper. Just as the ball appeared destined for the net, veteran defender Sead Kolasinac produced a dramatic goal-line clearance to preserve Bosnia's lead.
Moments later, Bosnia nearly doubled their advantage on the counterattack, breaking clear one-on-one with the Canadian goalkeeper. However, the visitors failed to convert, keeping Canada alive in the contest.
The hosts finally found their breakthrough in the 78th minute through substitute Larin.
The move began with excellent work from Ismael Kone, whose incisive play opened up space in midfield before the ball found Larin. Having entered the match only moments earlier, the striker brilliantly rolled his marker, created room for himself and unleashed a volley that took a slight deflection before nestling into the bottom-right corner.
The goal sparked wild celebrations inside the stadium and capped an immediate impact from the substitute, who needed just 121 seconds after coming off the bench to find the back of the net.
Canada pushed for a winner during the closing stages, encouraged by a vocal home crowd, but Bosnia held firm to secure a point.
The result leaves both sides with one point from their opening Group B fixture. While Canada will take confidence from their second-half response and attacking display, Jesse Marsch's side may also feel they missed an opportunity after creating several clear-cut chances throughout the match.
Scroll down for live updates from the FIFA World Cup clash between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Updates
FULL TIME
Canada 1- 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Supersub
Substitute Cyle Larin needed only 121 seconds on the pitch to find the back of the net and bring Canada level.
GOAL! Canada equalise
Toronto erupts! Cyle Larin finally breaks Bosnia's resistance, finding the back of the net in the 79th minute to bring Canada level at 1-1.
Ismaël Koné sparks the move with a clever pass through midfield before the ball finds substitute Cyle Larin, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes. Larin brilliantly rolls his defender to create space and unleashes a powerful volley that takes a slight deflection before nestling into the bottom-right corner
Canada continue to waste chances (65')
Canada are piling on the pressure but still cannot find a way through. The hosts have created several promising openings and a golden chance cleared off the line, yet Bosnia continue to hold onto their slender 1-0 advantage.
Brilliant saves on both ends
Canada come agonisingly close to an equaliser as a slick passing move ends with Richie Laryea beating the goalkeeper, only for Sead Kolašinac to produce a stunning goal-line clearance. Moments later, Bosnia launch a dangerous counterattack and break through one-on-one with the Canadian goalkeeper, but fail to convert.
Penalty shout turned away!
A scary moment in the Bosnia box as Tani Oluwaseyi races onto a long ball and collides with goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. The Canadian forward goes down after taking a blow to the head, prompting loud penalty appeals from the home crowd
Second half underway
We're back underway in Toronto, with Canada facing a 1-0 deficit after Jovo Lukic's first-half strike. The hosts will be hoping for a quick response as they search for the equaliser and keep their hopes of a historic first World Cup victory alive.
Score: Canada 0-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Half-Time: Canada 0-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
The referee blows for half-time in Toronto with Bosnia and Herzegovina holding a 1-0 lead over co-hosts Canada. The difference so far remains Jovo Lukic's 21st-minute goal from a corner
Goalscorer gets yellow card
Bosnia goalscorer Jovo Lukic goes into the referee's book after a late challenge
Park the bus for Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina have dropped almost everyone behind the ball, effectively parking the bus as Canada continue to launch wave after wave of attacks. The hosts are dominating possession and territory, but finding a way through the packed Bosnian defence remains a major challenge.
Canada in control
After falling behind, Canada have raised the intensity and are pushing numbers forward in search of an equaliser. The hosts are seeing more of the ball and creating promising openings, but they continue to lack the final touch in and around the penalty area.
Heartbreak for Canada! Bosnia strike first
Canada 0-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (21') | A major setback for the hosts in Toronto. Bosnia and Herzegovina take the lead through Jovo Lukic, who rises highest to convert from a corner kick in the 21st minute
Big Chance Canada!
Jonathan David gets Canada's first clear opening of the match after a slick attacking move. The Juventus striker finds space inside the box, but his effort is hit straight at goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, who makes a comfortable save. Canada beginning to find their rhythm.
First yellow of match
Alistair Johnson is the first in the book for a really poor sliding challenge on Memic down the left.
High pressing football
Both teams have started aggressively, pressing high up the pitch and battling hard for possession. The intensity is evident, with strong challenges flying in from both sides, but the referee has yet to reach for a card.
Kickoff
The wait is over in Toronto! The FIFA World Cup 2026 clash between co-hosts Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina is underway
Starting Lineup
Canada XI: Maxime Crépeau, Richie Laryea, Luc De Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius, Alistair Johnston, Stephen Eustaquio (C), Ismaël Koné, Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar, Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi.
Bosnia and Herzegovina XI: Nikola Vasilj, Tarik Muharemovic, Nikola Katic, Amar Dedic, Sead Kolašinac (C), Esmir Bajraktarevic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Amar Memic, Ivan Basic, Jovo Lukic, Ermedin Demirovic.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Face Uphill Battle in Group B
Ranked 64th in the FIFA standings, Bosnia and Herzegovina enter World Cup 2026 as the lowest-ranked side in Group B, trailing Switzerland (19th), Canada (30th) and Qatar (56th). Despite being underdogs on paper, the Europeans will be eager to spring a surprise as they begin their campaign against co-hosts Canada in Toronto.
Match facts
Canada open their Group B campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
❌ Alphonso Davies misses out as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
⭐ Jonathan David leads Canada's attack in Toronto.
🇧🇦 Veteran striker Edin Džeko starts on the bench for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
📜 A win would give Canada their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory.
Kick off TIME
Kick off at 12:30 PM IST
Published: 13 Jun 2026, 12:11 am IST
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