2026 FIFA World Cup | Group B | Friday, June 12, 2026
- Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada’s long wait for a positive FIFA World Cup result finally ended on home soil as the co-hosts fought back to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening Group B match in Toronto on Friday.
For a nation that had lost all six of its previous World Cup matches across the 1986 and 2022 tournaments, the result was historic. It delivered Canada’s first-ever point at the men’s World Cup and gave the home fans a moment to celebrate.
Bosnia and Herzegovina struck first in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukić headed home from close range after Sead Kolašinac flicked on a corner kick.
Despite trailing, Canada controlled much of the game. Playing without injured captain Alphonso Davies, the hosts enjoyed most of the possession but struggled to turn their dominance into goals.
Jonathan David tested goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj early on, while Ismaël Koné missed a good chance before halftime. Canada’s frustration continued after the break when Kolašinac diverted David’s goal-bound effort onto the crossbar.
With time running out, coach Jesse Marsch turned to his bench and was rewarded almost instantly.
Substitute Cyle Larin, on the pitch for barely two minutes, collected a pass from Promise David in the 78th minute, spun away from his marker and fired a low shot into the bottom corner to level the score.
The goal sparked wild celebrations among the 43,000 fans inside Toronto Stadium and will go down as one of the most important moments in Canadian football history.
Canada pushed for a winner in the closing stages but Bosnia held firm to secure a share of the points.
The draw keeps both teams firmly in the race for qualification. Canada next face Qatar in Vancouver on June 18, while Bosnia and Herzegovina take on Switzerland in Los Angeles.
The tournament is only beginning, but Canada has already written a memorable chapter. After years of disappointment on football’s biggest stage, the co-hosts finally have a World Cup point to call their own.
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