World Cup 2026 | Canada 1 - 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Co-hosts Canada start campaign with a draw

Canada substitute Cyle Larin made an immediate impact as his late goal earned the co-hosts a point against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Author | Liam C

Stadium | Toronto Stadium

Larin had been on the pitch for little more than two minutes when he spun brilliantly away from Tarik Muharemovic before drilling a shot beyond Nikola Vasilj, with the ball taking a slight deflection on its way in.

It marked the first time Canada had avoided defeat at a World Cup finals, having lost all three matches in 1986 and then again in 2022.

A closer look at what happened

Before the match, both sets of fans marched to the stadium and created a fantastic (and more importantly friendly) atmosphere. 

Bosnia, who reached the tournament after winning penalty shootouts against Wales and Italy in the qualifying play-offs, took the lead in the 21st minute in Toronto.

Jovo Lukic scored his first international goal when he headed home after former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac flicked on Ivan Basic's corner.

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Canada came close to levelling early in the second half when Richie Laryea's effort appeared destined for the net, only for Kolasinac to produce a superb clearance, diverting the ball on to the crossbar and away to safety.

The hosts continued to press and went close again, but Nikola Katic was on hand to clear Tani Oluwaseyi's goal-bound header off the line.

In an entertaining end-to-end contest, Canada eventually found the breakthrough their performance deserved, with Larin's 78th-minute strike securing the country's first-ever World Cup draw.