Four prominent players from Italy’s Serie A have been named in the starting lineups as co-host Canada kicks off its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday evening.
This opening match carries a poignant note for Italian football enthusiasts, as it could have been the Azzurri’s tournament debut had they not been defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout during the World Cup playoff final in March.
Despite Italy’s absence, Serie A will still be represented in Toronto. Canada’s attacking force includes Juventus forward Jonathan David, while Sassuolo’s Ismael Kone will feature in their midfield.
Bosnia’s starting eleven presents a few surprises, notably the exclusion of Edin Dzeko and young talent Kerim Alajbegovic. However, their defensive line will feature two players from Italy’s top flight: Tarik Muharemovic of Sassuolo and Sead Kolasinac from Atalanta.
The match is scheduled to commence at 20:00 BST.
Canada vs. Bosnia: Confirmed Lineups
Canada (4-3-3): Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Eustaquio, Kone, Millar; J. David, Oluwaseyi, Buchanan.
Substitutes: St. Clair, Goodman, Jones, Waterman, Bombito, Davies, Sigur, Choiniere, Shaffelburg, Osorio, Saliba, Larin, Ahmed, P. David, Nelson.
Bosnia (4-3-3): Vasilj; Muharemovic, Kolasinac, Dedic, Katic; Tahirovic, Basic, Memic, Demirovic, Bajraktarevic, Lukic.
Substitutes: Jurkas, Zlomislic, Mujakic, Hadzikadunic, Radeljic, Malic, Gigovic, Sunjic, Hadziahmetovic, Burnic, Mahmic, Bazdar, Dzeko, Alajbegovic, Tabakovic.
