First Draw of the 2026 World Cup; Canada Stops Bosnia

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The match was held on Friday evening (June 12) at the Toronto Stadium. Before the start of this match, the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup was held in Canada as one of the three host countries.

Bosnia Scores Against the Flow
While Canada's attacks promised to score for the team, Bosnia scored the first goal of the match in the 21st minute against the flow of the game. On a corner kick, Sead Kolašinac cleverly headed the ball into the goal for Jovo Lukić, who headed the ball into the goal for the host.

This goal, which is considered Lukić's first national goal, came as a huge shock to Canada. After the goal, the game resumed and Bosnia continued to work with a 1-0 lead.

After receiving the goal, the Canadian players reacted positively and tried to equalize the game.

Golden substitution for Canada planted a goal
In the 79th minute, on a combination move by the Canadian players, Kyle Larin, who had just entered the field, managed to open the Bosnian goal. This goal, which was accompanied by the impact of Koné at the beginning of the attack and a pass across Promise David, entered the goal after a collision with a Bosnian defender to draw the score 1-1 and the game was tied.

After this goal, Canada increased its pressure to achieve a second goal. On the other hand, Bosnia, who were under heavy pressure in the final minutes, tried to control the flow of the game with defensive substitutions.

In the 84th minute, Bosnia's captain and experienced defender Sead Kolašinac left the field due to injury; A change that made it even more difficult for the visiting team in the final minutes.

With a point from this game, Canada managed to score for the first time in its history at the World Cup. Previously, Canada had failed to score in any of its previous six games at different World Cups (1986 and 2022).

In this match, Johnston received the first yellow card of the match for Canada in the 13th minute. The match was played in front of 43,020 spectators at the Toronto Arena.

Canada's striker Jonathan David missed his team's best chance of the first half in the 17th minute; his shot from a good position went straight into the hands of the Bosnian goalkeeper.

In the second half, in the 49th minute, a violent collision occurred between the Bosnian goalkeeper and the Canadian striker, during which both players fell to the ground. In this scene, the Canadian players believed that it was a penalty foul, but the referee declared that the goalkeeper had reached the ball earlier and saved it.

In the 62nd minute, both teams made extensive substitutions. In the 67th minute, Canada had its most serious chance of the second half, but the forward's header on the edge of the goal was blocked by a Bosnian defender.

The other match in this group will be played between the national teams of Qatar and Switzerland tonight (Saturday, 13 June).

According to experts, the first draw of the 2026 World Cup between Canada and Bosnia indicates a relative balance of power in Group B and an increase in the competitiveness of the host teams. Studies show that despite the relative advantage in possession and scoring opportunities, Canada was unable to fully benefit from its hosting.

Observers say that Bosnia's goal, despite the flow of the game in the first half and the team's defensive resistance until the final minutes, indicates good tactical organization and fighting spirit of the team. According to experts, Canada's first historic point in the World Cup, although not accompanied by victory, could be a turning point for the country's football and a motivation for future games.