Preview: Canada seek first points in home World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina

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By Neel Shelat

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Favourable draw promises success for Canada

11 years on from hosting their first football World Cup, Canada are prepared to welcome the FIFA Men’s World Cup to their shores for the very first time. Their women’s team kicked the campaign off with a last-gasp win over China back in 2015, but fans will hope for a less tense affair on this occasion.

Although Canada lost each of their matches in their previous two outings at the tournament — in Mexico ‘86 and Qatar ‘22 — they have good reason to be optimistic about their chances of advancing past the group stage this time.

American head coach Jesse Marsch has fashioned the team into a well-drilled unit with his trademark high press, and he has some star power to call on in the attack. Canada are the second-highest-ranked team in their group and won’t face Switzerland until the last matchday, so they could well seal a knockout spot in two games.

Bosnia and Herzegovina out to cause more upsets

Bosnia and Herzegovina shocked the world by defeating Italy on penalties in their World Cup qualification playoff final to seal just their second appearance at the tournament. They won’t be here just to make up the numbers, though, because they have every chance of creating history in this group.

Sergej Barbarez’s side have come away with results against the likes of the Netherlands, Austria and Wales in the last couple of years. Their defence has proven staunch on its day in the 4-4-2 formation, while they too have some potential game-winners in attack.

The Dragons have a nice mix of youthful exuberance and veteran experience in the squad, with nine players aged 23 or younger alongside the likes of Edin Džeko and Sead Kolasinac, who were both in the lineup for their nation’s World Cup debut in 2014.

Team news

Canada have been dealt a couple of significant injury blows in the lead-up to the World Cup, leaving them without attacker Marcelo Flores for certain. Defender Moïse Bombito and captain Alphonso Davies are serious doubts, while midfielder Ismaël Koné reportedly missed a recent training session due to fever.

Bosnian strikers Džeko and Haris Tabaković trained separately, with the latter being the major doubt due to a reported metatarsal fracture he picked up at the end of the 2025/26 season. 

Key Players

Jonathan David is the star man up front for Canada and could have to take up greater all-round responsibilities amid their availability crisis. He will look to Tajon Buchanan for some support, while the experienced Stephen Eustáquio will be a key figure in midfield.

Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemović will need to put in a big shift at the back for the visitors. They will look to attacking starlets Esmir Bajraktarević and Kerim Alajbegović to light up the wings and test Canada’s back line.

Jonathan David’s Serie A season with Juventus

Prediction

A close contest should be expected, but Canada might have enough to come away with a 2-1 victory.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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