7M - World Cup Preview: Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina - prediction, team news, lineups

History will be made at Toronto Stadium on Friday as Canada hosts its first-ever men's World Cup match, welcoming surprise package Bosnia-Herzegovina for an electric Group B opener. While the co-hosts secured automatic qualification, the Bosnians booked their ticket via high-drama playoff penalty shootout victories over Wales and Italy. Both sides enter the tournament in exceptional form, riding identical eight-match unbeaten streaks under Jesse Marsch and Sergej Barbarez respectively.

Team News and Injury Updates

Canada comes into the tournament with significant fitness concerns surrounding captain Alphonso Davies, who is heavily doubtful due to a lingering hamstring strain. Moise Bombito is also unlikely to feature as he continues his rehabilitation from a tibia injury, while Jayden Nelson has been drafted into the squad after Marcelo Flores tragically ruptured his ACL. On a brighter note, Maxime Crepeau is confirmed as the starting goalkeeper, capping off an emotional redemption arc after missing the 2022 tournament with a broken leg. Bosnia-Herzegovina faces its own leadership crisis as legendary striker and skipper Edin Dzeko missed training on Tuesday with a shoulder injury, leaving him in serious doubt. Strike partner Haris Tabakovic is also a major doubt while recovering from a fractured metatarsal, meaning Ermedin Demirovic is expected to lead the line. Midfielder Ivan Sunjic completes their injury worry list as he battles muscle tightness.

Predicted Starting Lineups

Canada: Crepeau; Johnston, de Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Kone, Millar; David, Larin. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Vasilj; Burnic, Gigovic, Muharemovic, Memic; Celik, Basic, Bajraktarevic; Mahmic, Demirovic, Bazdar.

Match Prediction: Canada 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

While Canada has suffered defeats in all six of their previous World Cup outings across history, Jesse Marsch's side has developed immense defensive resilience, keeping six clean sheets during their current unbeaten run. Even if Alphonso Davies fails to recover in time, Canada possesses superior attacking depth through Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. Backed by a raucous home crowd in Toronto against a heavily depleted Bosnian frontline, the co-hosts are tipped to secure a historic, hard-fought 1-0 victory to claim their first-ever World Cup points.