The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette
June 12, 2026
A dramatic late equalizing goal gave Canada a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
The result, in front of a raucous home crowd in Toronto, gives Canada its first-ever point in a senior men’s FIFA World Cup. Canada’s two previous appearances, at Mexico 1986 and Qatar 2022, ended with three losses and early elimination.
But the draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina gives Canada a good chance at advancing out of Group B in the 2026 tournament, being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Head coach Jesse Marsch put out a mostly predictable starting lineup, with Maxime Crépeau having already been announced as Canada’s starting goalkeeper.
Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius and Richie Laryea were joined on defence by 20-year-old Luc de Fougerolles, replacing a recovering Moïse Bombito. Stephen Eustáquio (serving as team captain), Ismaël Koné, Liam Millar and Tajon Buchanan made up the midfield.
One surprise was at striker, where Jonathan David (no surprise) was joined by Tani Oluwaseyi. That left Cyle Larin, who has 30 goals in 90 games for Canada, beginning the match on the bench.
Regular team captain Alphonso Davies, meanwhile, was unavailable for the match as he continues recovering from a leg injury.
Canada’s starting lineup for Friday’s World Cup opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Credit: Audrey Magny/Canada Soccer)
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The first clear-cut scoring chance came in the 17th minute, and it came to Canada. David unleashed a left-footed shot from within the penalty area, but it was saved by Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj
But the first goal came to the visitors, in the 21st minute. Striker Jovo Lukić got his head on the end of a corner kick, opening the scoring for a team that loves scoring off set pieces.
Oluwaseyi got the next quality chance, in the 32nd minute, but lifted his left-footed shot just over the crossbar. The Canadians kept pressing for an equalizer, earning 10 corner kicks in the first half alone. But the score remained 1-0 at the break.
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Laryea thought he’d equalized in the 53rd minute when he was sprung through and slipped the ball past Vasilj. But a last-moment defensive clearance deflected his shot back off the crossbar.
Canada’s Richie Laryea controls the ball in Friday’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Credit: Audrey Magny/Canada Soccer)
Marsch made three substitutions in the 61st minute, with Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David and Ali Ahmed entering the match. The trio brought an attacking spark as Canada kept pressing for an all-important goal.
Larin entered in the 76th minute to bolster Canada’s attack further — and he would provide the breakthrough.
A clever turn at the edge of the penalty area in the 79th minute gave Larin the chance to blast home the goal that sent Toronto Stadium into euphoria.
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Qatar and Switzerland, the other two teams in Group B, face off in Santa Clara, California on Saturday at 12 pm PT/3 pm ET.
Canada’s next two matches are both at BC Place in Vancouver. First up is Qatar on June 18, then Switzerland on June 24.
Teams earn three points for a win, and one for a draw in the group stage. The top two teams in Group B will advance to the Round of 32, while the third-place finisher could also qualify, depending on other results.