Bosnia and Herzegovina came out swinging in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, with Lukic finding the back of the net early via a well-placed header against co-hosts Canada. The match, played on June 12, 2026, in Toronto, immediately handed the underdogs a psychological edge in what shapes up as one of Group B’s most consequential fixtures.
How Bosnia got here
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s road to Toronto was the kind of story Hollywood screenwriters would reject for being too dramatic. In March 2026, they faced Italy in a playoff that went all the way to penalties. Bosnia won. Italy, four-time World Cup champions, went home.
Their pre-tournament form, however, painted a more complicated picture. A 0-0 draw against North Macedonia and a 1-1 draw against Panama in warm-up friendlies suggested a side still searching for its attacking rhythm. The inclusion of veteran Edin Dzeko in the starting lineup hinted at a squad leaning on experience to navigate the tournament’s pressure.
Canada’s co-host conundrum
