Canada faces Bosnia-Herzegovina in first World Cup game on home soil
The national team kicks off Friday, June 12, at Toronto Stadium seeking its first World Cup win in franchise history.
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Canada will play its first-ever FIFA World Cup match on home soil Friday, June 12, when it faces Bosnia-Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium.
The matchup marks a historic moment for Canadian soccer, which has appeared in the World Cup twice before—in 1986 and 2022—without securing a victory. Coach Jesse Marsch's squad is searching for that elusive first win.
Canada has no previous international history against Bosnia-Herzegovina, entering the encounter as relative unknowns to each other.
Captain Alphonso Davies will sit out the opener due to a hamstring injury he is still recovering from, though Marsch said the Bayern Munich star is progressing well. Defender Moïse Bombito, whose status for the tournament was uncertain following a broken leg, will be available for selection.
The squad's composition—with Davies sidelined and Bombito cleared—reflects the balancing act Marsch must manage through the group stage. The momentum of a home crowd and a first win could prove crucial in the tournament's early rounds.
Canada's World Cup run begins Friday afternoon.