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Playoff to determine Canada’s opponent for first FIFA World Cup game

Playoff to determine Canada's opponent for first FIFA World Cup game | iNFOnews.ca
Italy's Moise Kean, left, and teammate Francesco Pio Esposito, right, celebrate after Kean scored his side's second goal during the World Cup qualifying play-off soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland, in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Canada will learn today which country it will face to open the FIFA World Cup in June.

The winner of today’s playoff game between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina will join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B at the tournament, and will face Canada in Toronto on June 12.

Italy, currently No. 12 in FIFA’s men’s rankings, comes in as favourites, boasting talents such as Fiorentina’s Moise Kean and Federico Dimarco, a winger for Inter Milan.

The country has won four World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006), but missed out on both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

No. 66 Bosnia and Herzegovina is hosting the playoff game in Zenica and seeking its second World Cup appearance after playing in Brazil back in 2014.

The home squad is captained by Edin Dzeko, a 40-year-old striker who plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey and is the country’s all-time leading scorer.

Italy holds a 4-1-1 record in all-time matchups with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is coming off a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland on Thursday. Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Wales on penalties the same day.

The World Cup is being played in 16 cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico, starting with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara on June 11. The final will be held in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 19.

Toronto is hosting six games during the tournament, while seven more will be played in Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2026.

Playoff to determine Canada's opponent for first FIFA World Cup game | iNFOnews.ca
Bosnia’s Haris Tabakovic, centre left, celebrates with Armin Gigovic after scoring his side’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group H qualifier soccer match between Bosnia and Romania in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Playoff to determine Canada's opponent for first FIFA World Cup game | iNFOnews.ca
Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni, front, and Northern Ireland’s Shea Charles vie for the ball during the World Cup qualifying play-off soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland, in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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