What to know
- Canada’s first FIFA match drew thousands, filling Toronto with national pride and excitement.
- A lightning-quick opening goal set the tone for a high-stakes showdown.
- The city’s multicultural fan base brought a festival atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium.
Canada faced Bosnia in its first-ever FIFA match in Toronto. Here’s how the city reacted and the key moments from the game.
Before the game even started, fans were all out and about in Liberty Village.
Jerseys, painted faces, and flags turned Liberty Village into a World Cup block party long before kickoff.
Liberty Village in Toronto feeling the World Cup fever ahead of #canadavsbosnia #worldcup pic.twitter.com/q1vUe3nObd
— Now Toronto (@nowtoronto) June 12, 2026
Now Toronto went to Toronto’s FIFA Fan Fest to check out the vibes, and they were immaculate.
Fans were participating in a heated rivalry between Bosnia and Canada, with different chants and a friendly, competitive atmosphere.
Bosnia fans chanted in their native language to cheer on the team.
@nowtoronto Bosnia’s taking the lead, and Bosnia fans are chanting the team on. #CanadaversusBosnia #FIFAFanFest #FIFA ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
While Canada fans were just as excited.
@nowtoronto Pair of Team Canada fans show their love ahead of #Toronto ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Ahead of the game, Canadian fans proudly sang the national anthem.
@nowtoronto Canada fans sang the national anthem ahead of #CanadaversusBosnia match.🇨🇦 #FIFA #FIFAFanFest ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Once the clock hit 3:30 p.m., the match started.
The game was very tight, with lots of almost-goals, but Bosnia kept a tight ship and prevented them. But the question was still there: who would score the first goal?
Bosnia struck first, and Canada fans dropped into a wave of silence.
@nowtoronto Bosnia’s taking the lead, and the #FIFAFanFest crowd is not having it. #CanadavsBosnia #FIFA ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
But almost 15 minutes before the game’s end, Canada levelled with Bosnia 1-1, and Canada fans could not be happier — hugging, screaming and jumping in joy.
@nowtoronto Canada levels with Bosnia 1-1, and Canada fans are cheering on! #CanadaversusBosnia #FIFAFanFest #FIFA ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
After more near-goals, both teams could not conclude the draw, even with six minutes of extra time.
The game concluded in a draw, 1-1, and Canada fans were calling Bosnia “lucky,” given how often the Canadian team found itself knocking at the Bosnian door.
@nowtoronto Canada fans believe Bosnia got lucky this match after 1-1 draw. 🇨🇦🇧🇦⚽️#CanadaversusBosnia #FIFAFanFest #FIFA ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
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But what brought everyone together was booing in unison when Doug Ford shared a message on screen.
@nowtoronto The Canada-Bosnia World Cup match ended in a draw, but one thing appeared to unite fans inside Toronto's FIFA Fan Fest: a chorus of boos when a Doug Ford ad appeared on the big screen. #DougFord #FIFAFanFest #Toronto #CanadaVersusBosnia ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
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