Co-hosts Canada will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey on home soil against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto's BMO Field on Friday, June 12, 2026.
The Group B opener also includes Switzerland and Qatar.
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The match marks a milestone for Canadian soccer as the country co-hosts for the first time and competes in back-to-back World Cups.
Canada has climbed from 50th to a record 27th in the FIFA rankings over the past two years.
Stadium Upgrades and Ticket Sales
Organizers are adding 17,756 temporary seats to BMO Field, raising capacity to 45,736 for the tournament.
This follows a record crowd of 44,828 for a Toronto FC match against Inter Miami in May.
FIFA has opened last-minute ticket sales on a first-come, first-served basis and an official face-value resale marketplace.
Group stage tickets start at $60 for certain supporter tiers, with top-category seats reaching up to $400.
Emotional Resonance for Bosnian Diaspora
Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified by defeating Italy in a playoff penalty shootout, sparking massive celebrations worldwide.
For the Bosnian diaspora in Canada, many of whom are children of refugees from the 1992–1995 war, the World Cup appearance carries profound meaning.
Ahmed Salihović, a 22-year-old York University student, traveled to Zenica for the final qualifier. “None of us expected them to make it through,” he said.
“So we’re just happy to see our nation at a big tournament.”
Adrian Gašpar, a professional volleyball player born in Ottawa, was in Sarajevo during the decisive match. “That moment when we beat Italy was mental,” he recalled.
