World Cup 2026 opener in Toronto
The World Cup 2026 has commenced in Canada, with the co-hosts playing their Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The match is being held in Toronto Stadium, following an opening ceremony that featured several Canadian music stars. Fans arrived in a sea of red, with some breaking into an impromptu rendition of the national anthem, O Canada, as they entered the stadium.
The opening ceremony showcased home-grown talent including Alanis Morissette, who performed the national anthem, and Michael Bublé. Bublé, accompanied by a choir, led fans in a rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It on Home to Me.” Other performers included Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyes, Nora Fatehi, and indigenous artist William Prince from Manitoba. Organisers stated that the selection of performers was inspired by Canada’s diverse communities.
Ahead of the match, the announcer in Toronto Stadium requested a round of applause for peace from the crowd. The tournament itself is set to be the largest ever, with 48 nations competing across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The global tournament began a day earlier in Mexico City, featuring performances by Shakira and Burna Boy. The first US game in Los Angeles is scheduled to include performances from Katy Perry and Future.
Match action and fan reactions
During the match, Canada saw early opportunities. In the 17th minute, Koné split Bosnia‘s defense with a pass to Oluwaseyi, who crossed for Jonathan David. Despite pushing numbers forward and a subsequent cross from Millar, David’s shot was directly at Vasilj. Jesse Marsch, the Canadian manager, appeared frustrated on the touchline.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, managed to score first. A corner kick was delivered to the near post, flicked on, and then headed in by Lukic. This marked his first goal in international football. Canada continued to press, with Jonathan David winning a free-kick in the 30th minute, though the opportunity was not converted. Oluwaseyi also had a chance after muscling past Muharemovic, but his shot went high.
The match saw several key moments, including a penalty shout for Canada in the 49th minute when Oluwaseyi collided with Vasilj, though replays indicated the goalkeeper touched the ball first. In the 53rd minute, Laryea had a shot blocked by Kolasinac, hitting the crossbar. Canada eventually equalized when Larin‘s deflected effort found its way past Vasilj, following a play initiated by Koné and Promise.
Substitutions were made by both teams in the 61st minute. Canada brought on Promise David, Shaffelburg, and Ahmed, replacing Millar, Buchanan, and Jonathan David. Bosnia introduced Gigovic and Bazdar. The match also drew attention to the managers’ attire, with the Bosnian manager sporting a distinctive double-breasted suit.
Community spirit and global participation
The atmosphere surrounding the match highlighted a strong sense of community and national pride. Peter Giacobbe, a Toronto native, expressed excitement, stating that attending the games in Toronto and Vancouver felt like making Canadian history. His friend, Robert McIntosh, echoed this sentiment, noting the significance of the event.
Fans of the Bosnian national team also showed considerable enthusiasm. Hundreds arrived at the stadium, with some travelling from their home country to witness their team play in the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Layla Mesic, a Bosnian-Canadian, attended with her Canadian mother, showcasing a blend of national allegiances. Mesic emphasized her pride in Bosnia qualifying for the World Cup, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience despite the cost.
However, some fans expressed concerns regarding ticket prices. Ceri Rees from Pontypool, Ontario, noted the presence of empty seats in Toronto, lamenting that many, including himself, could not justify the cost of tickets. This sentiment was also reflected by Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who reportedly skipped her country’s first game in protest of high ticket prices. The World Cup 2026 is set to conclude with a final game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The tournament will also feature a closing ceremony on 19 July, which will include Fifa‘s first-ever halftime show in its nearly 100-year history, modeled after events like the Super Bowl. Headliners for this event are expected to include Chris Martin of Coldplay, Madonna, and Shakira.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
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