Co-hosts, Canada, get their 2026 World Cup campaign under way when they take on Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday at 8pm (UK time).
Les Rouges are still searching for their first win in the World Cup, after losing all of their matches at both the 1986 and 2022 tournaments. Group B looks incredibly close and it wouldn’t be a big shock to see Canada pick up their first victory.
This will be just the second time that Bosnia-Herzegovina will have appeared at the World Cup, after their appearance in 2014. They were unable to make it out of their group on that occasion and will be looking to advance this time around.
This fixture marks the first time these two nations have met each other and it should be quite the occasion, with both sides hoping for a key victory in Group B.
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Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina team news
The goalkeeper debate has been one of the more intriguing selection calls of Canada’s build-up. Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau have been sharing minutes in the final pre-tournament friendlies. Jesse Marsch split them across two halves against Uzbekistan to get a final look. St. Clair, now at Inter Miami, has edged the contest and looks the likeliest starter on home soil at BMO Field.
The biggest question hanging over Canada’s entire tournament, though, is the fitness of Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich left-back and undisputed talisman of this squad has been working his way back from a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League semi-finals in May. There remain real doubts over whether he’ll be ready for the Bosnia opener. If he doesn’t make it, Richie Laryea will step in. The Toronto FC man has deputised admirably over the past year and is more than capable of filling in. When Davies does return, the impact on this squad will be immense.
In defence, Moïse Bombito and Derek Cornelius are the expected centre-back pairing, with Alistair Johnston at right-back completing the back four. The Celtic man’s energy and overlapping runs are a key part of how Marsch wants his side to operate. In midfield, Stephen Eustaquio and Ismael Kone are the engine room – Eustaquio brings passing range and control, while Kone provides the intensity and athleticism that presses high and wins the ball back quickly.
Up front, Jonathan David is the name on everyone’s lips. The Juventus striker arrives at this tournament in the form of his life, and carries Canada’s attacking hopes more than any other player. Cyle Larin is the likeliest partner up top, though Tani Oluwaseyi offers pace and directness from the bench. Tajon Buchanan on the right brings versatility and the kind of energy Marsch’s pressing system demands, with Liam Millar and Marcelo Flores among those competing for a starting berth wide left. The likes of Jonathan Osorio, Mathieu Choinière and Promise David will be hoping to make their mark when the opportunities come.
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Nikola Vasilj is the clear first choice in goal. The St. Pauli goalkeeper kept his place throughout qualification and started both playoff wins against Wales and Italy. There’s no real debate around his selection heading into the Canada game.
The back four picks itself too. Sead Kolasinac, the veteran Atalanta full-back and one of the most recognisable faces in this squad, anchors the left side. Amar Dedić of Benfica operates on the right. Nikola Katić and Tarik Muharemović form the central defensive partnership. Both are physically imposing and comfortable dealing with aerial threats, which matters when your opponents will be looking to expose set-piece vulnerabilities at the other end. And set pieces, it should be said, are very much a weapon for Bosnia too. With Džeko, Kolasinac and several physically powerful midfielders making runs into the box, their dead-ball situations are a genuine danger.
In central midfield, Benjamin Tahirović and Ivan Sunjić form the double pivot. This provides the defensive structure and energy that allows the more creative players ahead of them to function. Esmir Bajraktarević on the right flank is arguably the most exciting player in this squad. The 21-year-old PSV winger has been one of the most direct and dangerous wide players in the Eredivisie this season. Amar Memić offers creativity and pressing from the left, while Ermedin Demirović of Stuttgart slots in behind the striker. He provides the linking, pressing and space-creation that allows the captain to position himself where he does most damage.
And then there is Edin Džeko. At 40, still at the focal point of everything. The record scorer in Bosnian football history arrives having become the oldest goalscorer in 2. Bundesliga history during his season at Schalke, and there is no question he starts in Toronto. Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Haris Tabaković leads the forward options from the bench. 18-year-old RB Salzburg starlet Kerim Alajbegović is among the young talents who may yet make their mark on this tournament.
Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina predicted lineups
Canada (4-4-2): St. Clair; Johnston, Cornelius, Bombito, Davies; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Kone, Millar; Larin, David.
Bosnia-Herzegovina (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Tahirovic, Sunjic; Bajraktarevic, Demirovic, Memic; Dzeko.
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