TORONTO \u2013 The ride to BMO Field isn\u2019t new for most Canadian men’s national team<\/a> players. However, it was different on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n CanMNT players were glued to their phones in traffic as Bosnia & Herzegovina triumphed over Italy<\/a> in a penalty shootout. The historic win made the Balkan nation Canada\u2019s opponent for their 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> opener on June 12 at Toronto FC<\/a>‘s home ground, rounding out Group B.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That all unfolded hours before Canada settled for a 0-0 draw with Tunisia<\/a> after severe storms delayed kickoff by 90 minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your typical bus ride,\u201d Orlando City<\/a> goalkeeper Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a> said after the match.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cThe World Cup is approaching very quickly… Bosnia is going to be a very tough opponent. Every game is going to be a war.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n CANADA IS SET TO PLAY BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ON JUNE 12 IN TORONTO! \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\udde6 #FIFAWorldCup<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bnKxpO5fvu<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n In front of a raucous crowd and late into the night, Canada dominated the run of play against Tunisia, but failed to finish any of their 14 shots.<\/p>\n The Eagles of Carthage, meanwhile, missed a clear-cut chance saved by Canadian winger Liam Millar, and couldn\u2019t beat Cr\u00e9peau on four shots.<\/p>\n While Canada have scored just twice from open play in seven games and didn\u2019t earn any penalty luck, as they did in a 2\u20132 draw with Iceland<\/a> to open the March window, the performance was a step forward.<\/p>\n Marsch made six changes to his starting XI, with former CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> midfielder Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9 and newly-committed dual-national winger Marcelo Flores making a strong case for the World Cup starting lineup.<\/p>\n Flores’ elusiveness and agility stood out. The Tigres UANL attacker drew others into more attacking spaces while dazzling with on-ball skills and possession retention.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn the two games in this window, Marcelo was one of the bright spots,\u201d Marsch said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re really excited about the possibility of what he can mean to the team, and even more so, to have another weapon that\u2019s a little bit different than maybe we can use in a different way for different types of moments and different types of opponents.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The way Marcelo Flores maintains possession under pressure and keeps things flowing is unlike anyone else on the #CanMNT<\/a>. <\/p>\n He’s completely changed how Canada can break lines and hold for runs at the top of the box. <\/p>\n Somehow, he kept possession here. pic.twitter.com\/WUVVtZ1bjf<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Even with encouraging moments, it was still evident Canada are missing a piece.<\/p>\n Les Rouges amassed just 1.625 xG on 27 shots from open play in the March friendlies and didn’t create any overly threatening chances over the two games.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that we can score goals… The goals are going to come. I’m sure of it.\u201d Marsch said, not worried about the attack and happy with the defensive system.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the World Cup, not giving goals away is the most important thing if you want to have a good tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet, the need to find better opportunities is rising, and it will be a focus of Marsch\u2019s looming decisions and tactical outlay in the lead-up to the tournament.<\/p>\n From personnel to movement in the box to other elements, it’s critical.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe worked on some crossing ideas. We worked on some ideas in front of the back line on how we can break an opponent down, and we were in all of those positions more,\u201d Marsch said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNow it\u2019s just, can we have a little bit more quality on the last action, the last shot, the last cross, or a last movement to make these half chances into real chances? We’re close on a lot of these things.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Toronto,<\/p>\n The next time we see you, it\u2019ll be a pretty important occasion! \ud83c\udfdf\ufe0f<\/p>\n La prochaine fois qu\u2019on se verra, ce sera pour un \u00e9v\u00e9nement tr\u00e8s important ! \ud83c\udfdf\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/vu0pntdqEs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Strong showing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Generating better chances<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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