TORONTO – It’s the biggest, most historic match in the history of the Canadian men’s team. 

Unlike the Canadian women, the men’s side has never had the pleasure of playing a World Cup game on home soil. But that’s what awaits Jesse Marsch’s squad on Friday when it finally kicks off its 2026 World Cup campaign versus Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field after months of tireless preparation. 

“I just want the game to start. We've been practising and pushing and speaking about tactics. Speaking about the opposite teams. Speaking about ourselves. Speaking about the moment. Speaking about the country. ... The moment is now. I feel like the work has been done. So, I can't wait to get it started," Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné said this week. 

The eyes of the soccer world will be firmly focused on Canada for its Group B opener, a match with a lot riding on it for the host nation. Canada is No. 30 in the current FIFA world rankings, well ahead of Bosnia (No. 64) and fellow Group B opponent Qatar (No. 56), but behind perennial World Cup participant Switzerland (No. 19). 

The top two nations from each of the 12 first-round groups advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup, as do the eight-best third teams. Four points should guarantee a spot in the round of 32 for Canada, which has lost all six of its previous matches at the World Cup (1986 and 2022). 

Qatar is the weakest team in Group B, and based on its overall quality and depth of talent, it’s a very winnable game for Canada, which should collect three points. But Canada would still have to gain one point from its other two matches to give it the best chance of moving on.  

A first World Cup victory or a draw against Bosnia would put the Canadian men’s team in a very strong position to qualify for the knockout stage, especially with captain Alphonso Davies expected to miss the opener while he recovers from a hamstring injury. 

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