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At watch parties on opposite sides of Toronto, soccer fans cheered in turn for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada as the two teams kicking off the World Cup on Canadian soil ended the game with a 1-1 tie.
Deena Subramani, a fan who watched the game at the Ajax Fairgrounds east of the city, said she was nervous during the first half but relief washed over her when Canada scored the equalizer.
“It’s exciting that they have at least managed to equalize the game,” she said. “Very hopeful for the team … They are playing on home soil so it would be really nice if they could take it to the next level.”
Michael Day said Canada’s performance on Friday shows the team is deserving of its spot in the World Cup.
“I thought it was fantastic to see Canada on the world stage performing so well,” he said. ”I think they played very well. They were definitely not there (just) because they’re the home team.”
Fans, many of them dressed in Canada’s red and white, sat around picnic tables, on blankets and folding chairs under a blazing sun to watch the match at the fairgrounds.
Victor Yankam, who came with his family from nearby Whitby, said he wanted to witness the tournament’s arrival in Canada with friends and family.
“It’s the World Cup, first time in Canada — what a historic moment,” said Yankam, who wore a Canadian jersey emblazoned with his name, topped with a Canadian flag draped across his shoulders.
West of Toronto, a banquet hall in Mississauga buzzed with excitement as members of the local Bosnian community gathered to watch their national team.
For Amila Omic, who was born in Bosnia and came to Canada in the 1990s, seeing her home country make it to the World Cup was already worth celebrating.
“This is a really, really big deal for us, to be such a small country on such a big stage. It’s absolutely fantastic,” she said.
“I wish we would have won, but there’s a long tournament ahead, and we hope for the best. We got our flags ready.”
Vanesa Zukic said sharing the experience with her daughter and “the next generation of Bosnian Canadians” was particularly meaningful.
“It was beautiful. It was heartwarming … when Bosnia got their first score, I teared up. It’s just so nice being like a Bosnian Canadian and having both teams play.”
Fans dressed in blue and white jumped to their feet, chanting and stomping with approval as they watched the goal play out on a large screen at Anapilis Hall.
At half time, Emina Awan, a Canadian of Bosnian origin, said she would be happy if the game ended in a tie so both teams could advance — a wish that came to fruition not long afterward as Canada tied up the score at 1-1.
The crowd at the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto erupted in “Let’s go Canada” chants after that goal.
Ayeda Sayeed and Monika Singh said they’ve enjoyed the festive atmosphere inside the fan festival and beyond.
“The energy all day has been immaculate,” said Sayeed, who showed her support for the Canadian team with a red shirt and baseball cap topped with two small Canadian flags.
“Toronto has come alive for this,” she said, adding she’d seen people singing in the streets and dancing earlier in the day.
Singh said it reminded her of the joyous mood during the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series run last fall.
“Whether you watch soccer or not, I think everybody was on board, just cheering on and it just felt like we were part of a community,” she said.
Both said they were eager to repeat the experience as the tournament continues.
“Having sat through today, I can’t wait to come back,” Singh said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2026.
Monique Kasonga and Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press
