After all the pomp on circumstance of the opening ceremonies, Canada’s first game as host at FIFA World Cup 2026 likely won’t be an easy one against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here’s everything you need to know about the opponent for Canada’s opener.
Where and when is the match?
Canada takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, June 12 with kickoff slated for 3 p.m.
The game will take place at BMO Field, which will be known as Toronto Stadium throughout the tournament.
How did they qualify and what is their history?
The tiny Balkan nation was a darkhorse to even get this far.
The Dragons advanced to a playoff after finishing second in its group behind Austria. In the playoff, Bosnia first defeated Wales on penalties in Cardiff before beating four-time World Cup champion Italy and punching their ticket to join Group B. Bosnia-Herzegovina comes into the tournament ranked No. 65 in FIFA’s world rankings.
This is only the second World Cup appearance for the former Yugoslavian republic after debuting at 2014 Brazil, where the Dragons won one game, lost two and were eliminated in the group stage.
Who are their key players?
Leading the way is talismanic captain Edin Dzeko. The 40-year-old striker helped Schalke earn promotion to the German Bundesliga this past season, scoring six league goals in 10 appearances since arriving from Fiorentina in January. He will now play in a second World Cup after previously appearing at Brazil 2014 and is Bosnia-Herzegovina’s leader in career games (148) and goals (73).
Esmir Bajraktarevic is a young winger who could cause some problems for opposing defences. The 21 year old was born in Wisconsin and came up mainly through the New England Revolution’s academy system before moving PSV Eindhoven, where he has now won two straight championships in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Another name that soccer fans should recognize is Sead Kolasinac. The defender returned from a serious knee injury back after missing the start to the season with Atalanta in Italy, but most will know him for his three-season stretch with Arsenal, which included winning the FA Cup in 2020. While he typically has played centre back for his club team,. Kolasinac also makes regular appearances at the left back.
Scouting report
The tiny Balkan nation is managed by Sergej Barbarez, who served as captain of the national team from 2004-06. The former attacking midfielder prefers using a 4-4-2 formation while also pushing his fullbacks into attack at times.
The squad is built to play hard football, utilizing aggressive defence and looking for breaks in transition, especially down the wings.
With the height of Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic up front, the Bosnian squad can be very dangerous getting on the end of crosses and set pieces.
If you caught its qualifier final against Italy, you’ll also notice how much this team can run on emotion. If their supporters show up in numbers, that could make a huge difference in propelling this underdog side to an upset result or two.
What can Canada expect from Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The easy answer of what to expect on June 12 for Canada is a hard game.
This Bosnian squad will be tough as nails and won’t simply sit back and take a beating.
Canada will have to work to find some decent opportunities in attack and its creatively could be greatly challenged.
With Alphonso Davies unlikely to ready for the opener, the pressure to create will be heaped on Jonathan David up front while Ismael Kone and Stephen Eustaquio must pick out the right passes in the midfield.
While the hosts are rightly favoured to win the match (-130 on FanDuel), Canada could be left sweating it out in some June afternoon heat at BMO Field.