Co-hosts Canada open their Group B campaign with a match against Bosnia-Herzegovnia who will still be relishing their win against Italy in the playoffs

Group B action at the 2026 World Cup begins on Friday as Canada look to pick up their first-ever points at the tournament when they host Bosnia-Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium. As co-hosts, Canada qualified automatically, while Bosnia booked their place in the finals for a second time after edging past Italy on penalties in the playoffs.

The bookies have this ramped as one the hosts will win with conviction at 5/6 with Betfred while Bosnia are 7/2 outsiders with Ladbrokes and a draw is 5/2 with Sky Bet. You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers.

Toronto will stage the first men’s World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil, with one of the host nations hoping to extend a strong recent run of form. Expectations are far higher than during Canada’s previous two finals appearances, despite the fact the men’s team have lost all six of their World Cup matches to date.

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Canada may be without captain Alphonso Davies, who has not featured for the national side since the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League. Even so, Jesse Marsch’s squad have shown they can cope without the Bayern Munich wing-back, with several squad players stepping up.

The Canadians are unbeaten in 2026 and take an eight-game unbeaten streak into this opener. Although they have scored only twice in World Cup history (one of those an own goal), their recent platform has been defence: six clean sheets across that eight-match run.

Canada have also struggled in past tournament openers, failing to score in their first two opening fixtures - 1-0 defeats to France in 1986 and Belgium in 2022, the latter featuring a missed penalty. Friday will be their first-ever meeting with Bosnia, and the FIFA 30th-ranked side are unbeaten in their last six matches against European opposition.

Bosnia-Herzegovina arrive back on the world stage to the surprise of many after holding their nerve in shootouts against Italy and Wales. This experienced group will aim to improve on their 2014 debut, when they missed out on the knockout stages by a single point behind Nigeria.

Under Sergej Barbarez, the Zmajevi are unbeaten in eight matches, with both playoff wins coming on penalties. Defensively, they have been difficult to break down, conceding one goal or fewer in each of their last six games, and they are rated by some bookmakers as third favourites in Group B behind Canada and Switzerland. They have also avoided conceding before half-time in their last six internationals.

At the World Cup, three of Bosnia’s four goals have been scored after the break, and their only finals win - a 3-1 victory over Iran - came when they were ahead at half-time. Bosnia will also be chasing their first win over CONCACAF opposition since beating Mexico 1-0 in a friendly in Chicago in 2014.

Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Prediction

• Canada to win and both teams to score - 11/4 (Ladbrokes)
• Edin Dzeko to score anytime - 13/5 (Sky Bet)

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Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Team News

Canada captain Alphonso Davies is a doubt with a hamstring strain, Jayden Nelson has replaced ACL-injured Marcelo Flores, and Moise Bombito is unlikely to feature as he works back from a left tibia injury. Maxime Crepeau is Canada’s first-choice goalkeeper, while Jonathan David is one goal shy of 40 and could draw level with Mark Watson for ninth in caps; Cyle Larin and Jonathan Osorio have 90 appearances each.

For Bosnia-Herzegovina, Haris Tabakovic is in the squad despite an ankle problem but may not play, and captain Edin Dzeko is a major doubt with a shoulder injury after missing training. Nikola Katic scored Bosnia’s equaliser in the 1-1 friendly with Panama.

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