Canada opened their World Cup 2026 campaign with a historic 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, securing their first-ever point in the tournament. Cyle Larin came off the bench to score the equalizer, igniting celebrations at BMO Field in Toronto.
First-Half Setback
The co-hosts, playing in only their third World Cup, started brightly but fell behind in the first half. Sead Kolasinac flicked on a corner kick, and Jovo Lukic nodded the ball over the line to give Bosnia the lead. Canada had lost all six of their previous World Cup matches and faced the prospect of another defeat.
Second-Half Fightback
Jesse Marsch's side responded after the break. The Canadian coach made key substitutions, bringing on Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David, and Ali Ahmed. The trio injected energy into the attack, and Canada came close when Richie Laryea's shot was deflected onto the crossbar by Kolasinac. Tani Oluwaseyi also saw a header cleared off the line.
The breakthrough finally came when Larin, replacing Oluwaseyi, scored a powerful equalizer, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The result marked a significant milestone for Canadian football.
Looking Ahead
Canada will face Qatar in Vancouver next, while Bosnia takes on Switzerland in Los Angeles. Both teams will aim to build on their opening performances in Group A.
