Canada begin their official 2026 World Cup campaign on Friday with a matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the final teams to book a place in the expanded 48-nation tournament. Bosnia secured qualification in dramatic fashion in March by knocking Italy out in the playoff final. For Canada, the occasion carries extra significance: it is the country’s first World Cup played on home soil, with the tournament being co-hosted alongside the United States and Mexico.
Jesse Marsch, the American manager now in charge of Canada, leads a side that appears to have a real opportunity in Group B. Along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the group also includes Qatar and Switzerland, giving Canada a realistic path to the knockout stage if they can start strongly. Later on Friday, the United States men’s national team will also open its tournament, facing Paraguay.
This is Canada’s third World Cup appearance, after previous trips in 1986 and 2022. It also marks the first time the national team has reached back-to-back editions of the tournament, although this year’s place came automatically as one of the hosts. Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, are making only their second World Cup appearance. Veterans Edin Dzeko and Sead Kolasinac are the only players in the current squad who were also part of the nation’s first World Cup run in 2014.
One of the biggest questions ahead of kickoff is the status of Canada captain Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich star has been dealing with physical issues and has recently sounded doubtful about his chances of featuring in the opener. Davies made Canadian soccer history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when he scored the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, finding the net just 68 seconds into the match against Croatia.
How to watch Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
The pressure on Canada is undeniably higher this time. As one of the host nations, expectations are greater, and the opener at Toronto’s BMO Field offers a major chance to change the team’s World Cup story. Canada are still searching for their first points at the tournament after losing all six of their matches across the 1986 and 2022 editions.
Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina predicted starting lineups
Kickoff is set for Friday, June 12 at 3 p.m. ET at BMO Field in Toronto. The match will air on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with streaming available on Fubo. Betting odds list Canada at -120, the draw at +265, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at +370.
Nikola Vasilj; Amar Dedic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic, Sead Kolasinac; Esmir Bajraktarevic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Ivan Basic, Amar Memic; Ermedin Demirovic, Edin Dzeko.
Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina pick, prediction
It will be the opening game of one of the three host national teams of the World Cup. There will be pressure and Bosnia shouldn’t be underestimated at all. Canada 2, Bosnia 1.
Golazo 48 Nations: Follow the World Cup all summer long
Golazo 48 Nations is your all-access destination for the World Cup, with wall-to-wall coverage across the CBS Sports Golazo Network. From the first whistle to the final recap, the entire Golazo crew will guide fans through every moment of the tournament.
Each day begins with , setting the stage with the latest news, storylines, and previews ahead of kickoff. From there, and deliver real-time reaction and analysis as the action unfolds. Fans can also tune in for coverage of USMNT matches with the team, as well as reaction to other marquee matchups.
The day wraps with , a comprehensive nightly recap of every result, moment, and storyline from across the tournament. Altogether, the Golazo Network will deliver up to 12 hours of live programming each matchday, available across the Golazo Network and its YouTube channel.
