Shot Football

Canada fight back to earn draw against Bosnia in first World Cup 2026 match on home soil

ShotShot12 Jun 2026, 20:58
Canada fight back to earn draw against Bosnia in first World Cup 2026 match on home soil

Canada avoided becoming the first host nation to lose at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, battling back from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Group B opener at BMO Field.

The atmosphere was electric as Canada played the first match of their home World Cup campaign in front of a packed crowd at Toronto’s BMO Field. Both sides started brightly and created promising opportunities before Bosnia broke the deadlock in the 21st minute through Jovo Lukić, whose powerful header found the back of the net.

Canada responded by taking control of possession and pushing forward in search of an equalizer, but Bosnia’s disciplined defensive structure limited the hosts’ clear-cut chances. Despite their dominance for large stretches of the first half, Jesse Marsch’s side went into the break trailing 1-0.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Canada pressing aggressively in an effort to avoid an opening-match defeat. However, the resilient Bosnia side, coached by Sergej Barbarez, continued to frustrate the hosts with a determined defensive display.

Canada came agonizingly close to leveling the score in the 66th minute when Tani Oluwaseyi met a cross with a header from close range, only for Nikola Katić to produce a crucial goal-line clearance.

Marsch’s decisive intervention arrived from the bench. Kyle Larin was introduced midway through the second half and made an immediate impact, scoring just three minutes after coming on in the 79th minute to bring Canada level and ignite celebrations among the home supporters.

The draw leaves Group B finely balanced. Switzerland and Qatar, the other teams in the group, will face off tomorrow evening at San Francisco Stadium as the race for a place in the knockout rounds continues.

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