Without Alphonso Davies, Canada will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Canada's national team will kick off their campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina in their opening 2026 World Cup Group B fixture at Toronto Stadium, Saturday 13 June at 02:00 WIB. Playing in front of their home supporters, Canada are targeting a Historic Victory despite being forced to take the field without their captain and star player Alphonso Davies.

According to official FIFA publications, Canada enter the tournament with high morale as one of the 2026 World Cup Host Nations alongside Mexico and the United States. Home crowd support in Toronto is expected to provide extra momentum for Jesse Marsch's squad as they attempt to make new history.

Canada's objectives for this tournament go far beyond just claiming a positive opening Match Result. The side are chasing their very first win at any World Cup finals, having failed to register a single victory across six total group stage matches at the 1986 and 2022 tournament editions.

All major hopes rest on Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan, and Stephen Eustaquio. These players are tasked with guiding Canada out of the group stage for the first time ever.

Preparations for Canada's opening fixture have not gone smoothly, as Alphonso Davies has been officially ruled out with a Hamstring Injury.

Losing the Bayern Munich star is a massive blow for Canada. Davies is not only the team captain, but also a game-changing talent known for his explosive pace and attacking output from wide positions.

Canada's injury troubles do not end there. Marcelo Flores has also been ruled out with a knee injury, while defender Moise Bombito remains a major fitness doubt right up until kickoff.

This situation has forced head coach Jesse Marsch to devise alternative tactical solutions to preserve team balance. Jonathan David is now set to operate as the central forward and will act as the squad's primary goalscoring outlet.

On the opposing side, Bosnia-Herzegovina arrive in Toronto with high confidence. Sergej Barbarez's side carry strong positive momentum after securing their World Cup Qualification through the European play-off path.

The 2026 World Cup will be Bosnia-Herzegovina's second ever finals appearance, following their historic debut at the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Bosnia have brought a balanced squad blending emerging young talent and seasoned veterans. Established figures Edin Dzeko and Sead Kolasinac remain the core backbone of a side targeting an upset result in Group B.

Dzeko, who has now fully recovered from a prior shoulder injury, is expected to lead the Bosnian front line and pose the biggest threat to Canada's defence.

Historically, both nations hold near identical World Cup records. Canada have never advanced past the group stage in their two previous tournament appearances, while Bosnia-Herzegovina also failed to progress from the group stage during their 2014 debut.

For this very reason, this opening fixture carries enormous weight for both teams. A victory will provide invaluable momentum to keep knockout stage qualification hopes alive, while defeat will make their path out of the group far more difficult.

Canada hold a slight pre-match advantage as the home side. However, the big-tournament experience of players such as Edin Dzeko, combined with Bosnia-Herzegovina's disciplined, well-organised playing style, is set to pose a serious challenge for the hosts.

Projected starting lineups:

Canada: Dayne St. Clair, Alistar Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito, Liam Millar, Jacob Shaffelburg, Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, Tajon Buchanan, Ali Ahmed, Jonathan David.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Nikola Vasilj, Sead Kolasinac, Dennis Hadzikadunic, Nihad Mujakic, Amar Dedic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Armin Gigovic, Ivan Sunjic, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Ermedin Demirovic, Edin Dzeko.