Group B action at the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on Friday 12th June 2026 as co-hosts Canada welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina to BMO Field for a historic encounter.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Thursday night 11th June 2026, as co-hosts Mexico national football team take on South Africa national football team and FIFA also Confirms on thier official x handle the Record of 1,248 Players for Historic World Cup
The match will mark the first men’s FIFA World Cup game ever played on Canadian soil, with Jesse Marsch’s side aiming to make a strong start in front of their home supporters. Canada qualified automatically as tournament co-hosts and enter the competition carrying significant expectations following a remarkable run of form.
Unlike their previous World Cup appearances, the Canadians arrive unbeaten throughout 2026 and are currently on an eight-match unbeaten streak. Defensive solidity has been a major factor behind that success, with Les Rouges keeping six clean sheets during that run.
Despite never winning a World Cup match and losing all six of their previous fixtures at the tournament, Canada will believe this is their best opportunity yet to make history. They have also remained unbeaten in their last six meetings with European opposition, providing further encouragement ahead of Friday’s clash.
Standing in their way is a resilient Bosnia and Herzegovina side that secured qualification in dramatic fashion, overcoming both Italy and Wales in penalty shootouts during the playoffs.
Managed by Sergej Barbarez, the Bosnians are also unbeaten in their last eight matches and have built their recent success on a strong defensive foundation, conceding no more than one goal in each of their previous six games.
This will be only Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second World Cup appearance after their debut in 2014, when they narrowly missed out on a place in the knockout rounds. The team will be eager to improve on that performance and secure a positive result against one of the tournament hosts.
With both nations entering the competition in excellent form and boasting impressive unbeaten runs, Friday’s showdown in Toronto promises to be a tightly contested battle as Group B gets underway.
Team News
Canadian captain Alphonso Davies is doubtful on Friday due to a hamstring strain, Jayden Nelson has replaced Marcelo Flores after the latter ruptured his ACL with Tigres, while Moise Bombito is unlikely to feature as he has yet to show he is fully recovered from a left tibia injury.
After missing the previous World Cup with a broken leg, Maxime Crepeau has been named the first-choice goalkeeper for Canada, and Jonathan Osorio will hope to feature for his hometown club.
Record goalscorer Jonathan David is one goal shy of 40 and can draw even with Mark Watson for ninth in all-time caps for the national team on Friday, while Cyle Larin and Osorio are tied for second all-time with 90 appearances each.
Despite sustaining an ankle injury late this season, Haris Tabakovic is in the Bosnian squad, though unlikely to feature on Friday.
Bosnian skipper Edin Dzeko was on the bench for their final friendly against Panama (1-1) but missed training on Tuesday leaving him in serious doubt for this game because of a shoulder injury.
Their only goal against Panama came from Nikola Katic, his second for the senior squad and his first on the international stage this year.
Possible LineUps
Canada possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Johnston, de Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Kone, Millar; David, Larin
Bosnia-Herzegovina possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Burnic, Gigovic, Muharemovic, Memic; Celik, Basic, Bajraktarevic; Mahmic, Demirovic, Bazdar
How to watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | DSTVStream App |
| Kick-off Time | 20:00 (WAT) |
Match Predictions
Softfootball predicts Canada 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Canada have played their share of games without Davies and found a way to win, and we expect the energy of the home crowd and the attacking depth of that group will earn a historic first World Cup triumph in this match.
