Canada battle back to earn late draw with Bosnia

Group B

Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Canada substitute Cyle Larin made an instant impact as his goal rescued a point for the co-hosts as they began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Southampton striker Larin had only been on the pitch for just over two minutes when he superbly spun away from Tarik Muharemovic and fired past Nikola Vasilj, aided by a slight deflection.

It was the first time Canada had avoided defeat in the World Cup finals, after they had been beaten in all three games in 1986 and then again in 2022.

Bosnia, who gained penalty shootout wins in the qualifying play-offs over Wales and then Italy to secure their place in North America, took a 21st-minute lead in Toronto.

Jovo Lukic grabbed his first goal for his country when he headed in after ex-Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac had flicked on Ivan Basic’s corner.

Canada nearly equalised early in the second half as Richie Laryea’s shot was going in, only for Kolasinac to produce an excellent clearance by diverting the ball on to the crossbar and away.

The hosts pushed for a leveller and had another good opportunity, only for Nikola Katic to clear off the line from Tani Oluwaseyi’s goal-bound header.

But, in a thrilling end-to-end match, Canada got a deserved equaliser in the 78th minute for their first ever World Cup draw.

Canada are one of three host nations for the 2026 World Cup, along with Mexico and the United States, and were looking to record a win, just as Mexico did when they beat South Africa 2-0 in Thursday’s tournament opener.

The Toronto Stadium was packed, with the majority of the home fans wearing red shirts and those away supporters in blue, with both groups contributing to a superb atmosphere.

After Alanis Morissette had sung the Canadian national anthem, the fans were treated to an entertaining, open game.

Canada, managed by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, had seen Jonathan David, Oluwaseyi and Stephen Eustaquio all guilty of missing opportunities, with Bosnia looking to hold on to their one-goal advantage.

But Marsch’s attacking substitutions proved successful, with Larin’s goal coming 121 seconds after he was introduced.

Group B always looked like being one of the closest, and Canada will still fancy their chances of advancing with games against Qatar on 18 June and Switzerland on 24 June still to come.