Canada and Bosnia Herzegovina meet for the first time when Group B kicks off on 12 June at BMO Field in Toronto. Canada have never won a World Cup match in six attempts and that record will weigh heavily on a home crowd that has waited a long time for this. Jesse Marsch knows this is probably the most winnable game his side will get in this group, which makes the injury news rather ill-timed. Bosnia arrive having already beaten Wales and Italy on penalties in the UEFA playoffs and that experience of winning under pressure is not nothing.
Marsch and Sergej Barbarez have no shared managerial history, with Marsch having taken the Canada job permanently in May 2024 following John Herdman's departure and signing through 2030, while Barbarez was appointed around the same time in what remains his first major managerial role after a decorated playing career that included captaining Bosnia.
Canada's last five matches produced a draw with Ireland, a win over Uzbekistan, a goalless stalemate against Tunisia and a 2-2 draw with Guatemala, four games without a defeat, though they failed to score in two of those five. Bosnia's recent results were just as tight, drawing 1-1 with Panama and 0-0 with North Macedonia, though in qualification they lost just once in ten matches, with a 3-1 win over Romania the standout result.
The headline issue for Canada is Alphonso Davies, who is doubtful with a hamstring strain and unlikely to feature here even though Marsch has suggested he will be involved later in the tournament. It is a significant blow: Davies is captain and first choice starter on the left, with Liam Millar or Tajon Buchanan likely to fill in. Centre back Moise Bombito is also doubtful with a tibia injury, Marcelo Flores is out with an ACL problem and Jayden Nelson has been added as an injury replacement, while Maxime Crépeau is expected to start in goal after coming back from injury. Bosnia have their own fitness concern in Edin Dzeko, who is questionable with a shoulder issue, while Haris Tabakovic is unlikely to feature due to a fractured metatarsal and Ivan Sunjic remains doubtful with a muscle problem.
Without Davies, Canada's 4-2-3-1 will look a little different than Marsch would ideally want, with the high press and quick transitions still central but Millar or Buchanan stepping in on the left. Stephen Eustaquio and Ismael Kone anchor the midfield, with Jonathan David and Cyle Larin leading the attack. Bosnia under Barbarez tend to set up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, looking to work through Ermedin Demirovic and Dzeko if fit. How well Eustaquio and Kone hold their own against Miroslav Basic and the Celik pairing will probably determine the game's rhythm. These two sides have never met in any competition or friendly, so there is genuinely nothing in the historical record to tip the balance either way. Argentine referee Facundo Tello officiates with Hernan Mastrangelo on VAR.
Canada 2-1 Bosnia Herzegovina. David is the clearest route to goal Canada have and the midfield contest looks like Canada's to control if Eustaquio and Kone are on form. Bosnia will look to hurt Canada in transition through Demirovic and Dzeko's fitness remains an open question going into kick off.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
