Canada Kicks Off Home World Cup Campaign Against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published June 12, 2026
Co-hosts Canada are set to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey on home soil, facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, aiming to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway for co-hosts Canada, as they prepare to launch their campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina this evening. The highly anticipated match, held at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, marks a significant moment for Les Rouges, who are looking to leverage home advantage in their quest to progress further than ever before on the global stage. This tournament represents Canada's third appearance at the World Cup finals, with previous attempts in 1986 and 2022 concluding in the group stage.
Under the guidance of coach Jesse Marsch, the Canadian squad hopes to improve upon their 2022 performance in Qatar, where they finished at the bottom of Group F after losses to Morocco, Croatia, and Belgium. With the expanded 48-team format of the 2026 World Cup offering more opportunities, the ambition is clear: to reach the knockout rounds. The atmosphere in Toronto is expected to be electric, amplified by a star-studded pre-match ceremony featuring Canadian music icons Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, and Alanis Morissette, following Mexico's earlier opening festivities.
Their opponents, Bosnia and Herzegovina, are also eager to make their mark. This marks only their second-ever World Cup appearance, with their debut coming in Brazil in 2014, which also saw them exit during the group phase. Having missed out on the subsequent tournaments in Russia and Qatar, Bosnia will be determined to challenge the co-hosts and create their own history in North America.