Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina – report, result, goals and why Cyle Larin’s goal was ‘good’ to set record for co-hosts
Cyle Larin scored after two minutes to give his teammates Canada their first World Cup point and deny Bosnia and Herzegovina victory in the first game in Group B at Toronto’s BMO Field.
Forward Larin curled in a clinical 31st goal of his international career with 11 minutes remaining, ensuring Les Rouges avoided becoming the second host in history to lose their opening game in the finals.
Jovo Lukic nodded past Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac to give Sergej Barbarez’s side, who are ranked 26th below their rivals in 35th by FIFA, the lead in the 21st minute.
A good save by Kolasinac prevented Canada from scoring shortly after the break, curling the ball across the post and away after Richie Laryea finished the move by breaking free and sending a low finish under goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina analysis: Larin ‘raised the fans’
Canada had been beaten in all seven games in the last two games in the finals, and their run looked set to continue with a quiet night for the country’s top scorer, Jonathan David.
Larin, who scored eight goals in 16 appearances on loan from Southampton last season to sign his contract with the club from Mallorca, had other ideas.
Former England defender Stephen Warnock praised Larin for providing the impact head coach Jesse Marsch was looking for.
“That’s the nature of the player coming onto the pitch,” Warnock told BBC Sport, analyzing the goal that deflected off opposition player Nikola Katic.
“Lovely corner pass from Promise David. How quick is the touch, turn and turn?
We got to the top of Canadiana here in March to the Games and we got to Princes’ Gate near the stadium.
A man in a cowboy hat, fur coat, holding a Tim Hortons is cracking everyone up as he finishes singing O Canada.
It’s 25 C and gloriously sunny. pic.twitter.com/Tv8jZLN3nt
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) June 12, 2026
“It’s deafening here, it’s really bright. [Canada fans] they wanted to get back behind their team – they wanted a lift, they needed a little lift.
“Larin’s goal just lifted them. It’s good passing. It’s all about how quickly he can take the ball, how quickly he can move the ball.
“He doesn’t allow the goalkeeper to position himself, he doesn’t allow the defender to get close. He uses his body to beat him well.
“The finish is good. Yes, it takes a little nick, but that control with his knee … smart for Cyle Larin.”
VIBES IN TORONTO NOW 🇨🇦⚽️🇨🇦⚽️ pic.twitter.com/pzzMtjsYEa
— Made in Canada (@MadelnCanada) June 12, 2026
World Cup 2026: Team Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada made one change in attack in their 1-1 draw with Ireland in Montreal on June 6, with Tani Oluwaseyi replacing Larin.
Captain Alphonso Davies was out with a pulled muscle and defender Moise Bombito was not ready to start following a broken leg but midfielder Ismael Kone recovered after missing training with a cold on Wednesday.
Striker Jayden Nelson joined Marcelo Flores’ squad after suffering a serious knee injury.
Canada starting XI: Maxime Crepeau, Alistair Johnston, Luc De Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea, Tajon Buchanan, Ismael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Millar, Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi
Canada instead: Dayne St. Clair, Alfie Jones, Joel Waterman, Mathieu Choiniere, Cyle Larin, Jacob Shaffelburg, Moise Bombito, Owen Goodman, Alphonso Davies, Ali Ahmed, Jonathan Osorio, Niko Sigur, Promise David, Nathan Saliba, Jayden Nelson
World Cup 2026: Team Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Canada
Bosnia and Herzegovina changed a winger in their 1-1 draw with Panama in St Louis six days ago, with Kerim Alajbegovic moving to the bench and Amar Memic coming on.
Haris Tabakovic was recovering from an ankle injury and on the bench, as was Edin Dzeko after missing training with a shoulder problem and midfielder Ivan Sunjic, a doubt.
Bosnia and Herzegovina starting XI: Nikola Vasilj, Amar Dedic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic, Sead Kolasinac, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Ivan Basic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Amar Memic, Ermedin Demirovic, Jovo Lukic
Bosnia and Herzegovina instead of: Mladen Jurkas, Nihad Mujakic, Dennis Hadzikadunic, Armin Gigovic, Samed Bazdar, Edin Dzeko, Ivan Sunjic, Amir Hadziahmetovic, Dzenis Burnic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Stjepan Radeljic, Martin Zlomislic, Haris Tabakovic, Arjan Mahmic,
Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina matches, schedule
Both teams will play next Thursday. Here’s where the action starts with the UK broadcaster.
| The day | Compare | Time (BST) | ET | PT | The channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 18 | Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Switzerland | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | ITV |
| June 18 | Canada vs Qatar | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 | ITV |
World Cup 2026: Statistics Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada are unbeaten in their last nine games (W5 D4) since losing 1-0 at home to Australia in October 2025.
- Lost their last 29 games at Toronto (W18 D10)
- Defender Joel Waterman was also part of Canada’s squad for the 2022 finals but did not appear and did not participate in the game.
- With 39 goals in 78 games, Juventus striker David is Canada’s record goalscorer
- Larin is their second all-time leading scorer with 31 goals in 91 games, although he hasn’t added to that tally since netting in a friendly against Panama in Toronto in October 2024.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina have scored in all 10 of their qualifying matches and are unbeaten in nine games (W2 D7, including friendlies) since losing 2-1 at home to Austria in September 2025.
- This was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first competitive match against CONCACAF and they have drawn each of their five matches against all opponents (including friendlies).
- Dzeko could become the second-oldest foreign player to appear at the World Cup, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 years and 39 days old in the 1994 USA final.
- The former Manchester City striker is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 143 caps and 73 goals, netting six times in qualifying.
- Barbaraz didn’t win any of his first eight games in charge but guided his team to their first successful campaign to qualify for a major tournament at the sixth attempt.
