Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina Preview + Predicted Lineups

Charlie Zschau Updated: 5 hours ago

Canada begin their 2026 World Cup campaign in Toronto on Friday afternoon with Jesse Marsch's squad taking on Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The Canadian national team have qualified for their third-ever World Cup tournament as one of the three host nations, and 'Les Rouges' will be eager to win their first-ever World Cup match.

Canada have lost all six of their World Cup matches to date, but maybe they can change the narrative around the team with a victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the first match of Group B.

Alphonso Davies headlines Canada's "golden generation" of talent which helped Canada climb up to #26 in the FIFA World Rankings last year (Canada's highest FIFA Ranking). Canada are currently ranked 30th in the world Rankings, while Bosnia & Herzegovina rank 64th.

Unfortunately for the Canadians, Davies is ruled out with a hamstring injury for the first match. He is expected to be fit for the second match of the tournament against Qatar.

Canada still has some star power in Davies' absence, especially up front where the likes of Juventus forward Jonathan David and Villarreal's Tajon Buchanan will be looking to exploit the cracks in the Bosnian defense.

Two other Canadian players to keep an eye on at the tournament are midfielder Ismael Kone, and forward Promise David. Kone will be the engine in the midfield covering every inch of the pitch, while Promise is a 6' 5" physical forward who does not take the space he is given, but instead creates his own. Both players could play a key part in securing Canada's first victory.

Although Bosnia & Herzegovina currently rank outside of the top-50 teams in the world, they are no pushover. The small European nation ruined Italy's 2026 World Cup hopes by knocking them out in the UEFA World Cup Qualifying Playoff tournament in agonizing fashion, and also earned themselves qualification to the tournament.

40-year-old Edin Dzeko leads the line for the Bosnians, still capable of finding the back of the net in the twilight of his career. He'll be joined by budding stars Esmir Bajraktarevic and Kerim Alajbegovic who both have the flair and confidence of future stars.

The opening match in Canada should have plenty of fireworks, with both teams excited to show the world what they've got. Neither team is looking to sit back and defend the entire game, so hopefully the net ripples early and often in Toronto.

Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina Start Time, Date & location

Canada will host Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Toronto Stadium on Friday, June 12.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM PT).

How to Watch Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina

Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina will be broadcast on Fox in the United States. A Spanish speaking broadcast will be available on Peacock and Telemundo.

Streaming will be available on the Fox Sports website and the Fox One streaming platform.

Canadian audience's can tune in on TSN, and TSN+.

Canada's Starting Eleven Prediction

Formation: 4-4-2

	ST Cyle Larin		ST Jonathan David

LM Liam Millar				RM Tajon Buchanan
	CM Ismael Kone		CM Stephen Eustaquio

LB Richie Laryea				RB Alistair Johnston
	CB Derek Cornelius		CB Luc De Fougerolles
		GK Maxime Crepeau

Bench/Reserves:
Dayne St. Clair, Owen Goodman, Alfie Jones, Joel Waterman, Niko Sigur, Jonathan Osorio, Mathieu Choiniere, Nathan Saliba, Ali Ahmed, Jayden Nelson, Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David, Tani Oluwaseyi

Injured Players:
Alphonso Davies - Hamstring
Moise Bombito - Tibia

Bosnia & Herzegovina's Starting Eleven Prediction

Formation: 4-2-3-1

		ST Ermedin Demirovic

LM Jovo Lukic		CAM Kerim Alajbegovic		RM Esmir Bajraktarevic

	CM Benjamin Tahirovic		CM Amir Hadziahmetovic

LB Amar Dedic				RB Sead Kolasinac
	CB Nikola Katic		CB Tarik Muharemovoc
		GK Nikola Vasilj

Bench/Reserves:
Martin Zlomislic, Mladen Jurkas, Arjan Malic, Dennis Hadzikadunic, Nidal Celik, Nihad Mujakic, Stjepan Radeljic, Amar Memic, Ivan Basic, Armin Gigovic, Dzenis Burnic, Ermin Mahmic, Ivan Sunjic, Samed Bazdar, Edin Dzeko

Injured Players:
Haris Tabakovic - Broken Ankle