Canada is set to kick off the FIFA World Cup against Bosnia-Herzegovina in June. Bosnia-Herzegovina secured their spot in the tournament after defeating Italy 1-1 (4-1) in penalties in a playoff final. Italy, ranked 12th in FIFA’s men’s rankings, was considered the favorite with players like Moise Kean and Federico Dimarco, but they fell short in the match. Bosnia-Herzegovina, ranked 66th, played host to the playoff game in Zenica and will make their second World Cup appearance after their last participation in 2014.
The upcoming World Cup will be held in 16 cities across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, starting with matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara on June 11. Toronto will host six games during the tournament, while Vancouver will host seven matches.
In another match, Iraq secured the final spot at the World Cup by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in Monterrey, Mexico. This victory marked Iraq’s return to the World Cup after a four-decade absence. Ali Almahadi, Moises Paniagua, and Aymen Hussein scored the goals for Iraq, who will compete in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Senegal.
Iraq’s coach, Graham Arnold, expressed excitement about the qualification and emphasized the team’s determination to make an impact in the tournament. Iraq will play their first match against Norway on June 16, followed by games against France and Senegal.
Additionally, Congo clinched their place at the World Cup by defeating Jamaica 1-0 in extra time. Axel Tuanzebe scored the winning goal for Congo, who will compete in Group K against Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan. Congo, previously known as Zaire, will make their World Cup appearance under the new name.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be an exciting event, with teams from around the globe gearing up to compete for the prestigious title.