PHOTO: REUTERS

AGENCIES

Canada stand on the brink of a defining moment in their football history as they kick off their World Cup campaign in a high-stakes Group B clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on Friday. With both nations seeking a first-ever place in the knockout rounds, the pressure is firmly on the hosts, who are still searching for their maiden World Cup victory after six defeats from six matches across the 1986 and 2022 editions. However, Jesse Marsch has transformed the mood around the team since taking charge in 2024, guiding Canada to a surprise Copa America semifinal and an unbeaten run in 2026.