Co-host Canada picks up first men's World Cup point in draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina

TORONTO - Canada battled back for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday as the co-host picked up its first point in the first men's World Cup game played on Canadian soil.

After recently entering the game, experienced substitute Cyle Larin scored in style in the 78th minute to leave Toronto fans jubilant.

"I was ready to come in and score," Larin said. "I think we played better second half."

Bosnia forward Jovo Lukić, only playing due to health concerns around 40-year-old veteran Edin Džeko and Haris Tabaković, opened the scoring when he headed in a corner kick in the 21st minute. It was his first international goal.

Toronto stadium, expanded temporarily for this World Cup but still the smallest at the tournament with 45,000 seats, had been treated to songs by Canadian singers Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé before kickoff.

First point in seven men's World Cup games

The home team, which lost all of its previous six men's World Cup games over two tournaments, produced its own rousing performance after falling behind.

The Bosnians, in a second men's World Cup as an independent nation, were happy to sit back and absorb pressure but ultimately paid the price. Keeper Nikola Vasilj also just avoided a penalty and red card with a punched clearance.

A stunning clearance by center back Sead Kolašinac, who somehow kicked Richie Laryea's near-certain goal onto the top bar, looked like it would keep the Balkan side ahead before a fine move conjured up a leveler.

Larin's goal was the 31-year-old's 31st in 91 appearances for the Canadaian national team.

Canada's American coach, Jesse Marsch, said: "The substitutes came on and made a big difference.

"I'm disappointed with the first half, we were tentative and didn't play as aggressively as I would have liked. Second half, from the first minute we stepped on the pitch, it was different."

Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez told Sport HRT: "You have to be realistic as we had good chances, we were also lucky. The point is satisfactory, but it is not yet time to calculate how many points will be enough to advance to the knockout stage."

The expanded 48-team tournament means eight third-placed teams will progress from group play alongside the top two from each group. But Canada wants to top the group and stay on home turf for the knockouts rather than go to the U.S. or Mexico.

Top Canada star Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich hopes to be ready to go for the second group game against Qatar. The previous World Cup host faces the Swiss in the second Group B game in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday.

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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 8:03 PM.