Hosts aiming for winning start: Canada without Davies, USA against South Americans

Canada are preparing for their third World Cup appearance, still searching for their first-ever points. Across six matches in Mexico 40 years ago and Qatar 2022, the Reds have encountered only disappointment.

In 1986, they failed to score, losing to the Soviet Union, France, and Hungary. Four years ago, they were a bit better, finding the net twice, but their position in a group with Morocco, Croatia, and Belgium was the same - rock bottom.

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However, this could finally be their moment. After all, is there a better opportunity than facing a - with all due respect - modest European team, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in front of your own fans at a packed BMO Field in Toronto?

Hardly so.

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The captain Alphonso Davies' absence will be a problem, but Jesse Marsch's squad still has some high-profile names like Villarreal's Tajon Buchanan, Ismael Kone of Sassuolo, Cyle Larin of Southampton, and Juventus' Jonathan David.

Bosnia, meanwhile, have featured at the World Cup only once, in Brazil in 2014, ending the competition in the group stage with three points, behind Argentina and Nigeria and in front of Iran.

The two sides have never met, and the outcome is far from certain ahead of the clash (22.00), though Canada hold home advantage.

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Another team with the same edge is the United States, facing Paraguay in the opening game in Group D (04.00). Nevertheless, unlike their Northern neighbours, the Americans will take on a much tougher challenge.

The South American team has recently lost one of their best players, Julio Enciso, through an injury, but a squad with two current and one former Premier League player - Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Diego Gomez (Brighton), and Miguel Almiron (ex-Newcastle forward) should not be taken lightly under any circumstances.

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Still, this World Cup is the crown of the US process led by Mauricio Pochettino, which is now expected to bear fruit and deliver results.

With a relatively easy group alongside Paraguay, Turkey, and Australia, the Americans are tipped to advance and, according to some predictions, even reach the quarter-finals.

Tonight, they'll show whether they can handle the pressure.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

First round

Thursday, 11.06.

Mexico - South Africa 2-0 (1-0)

/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/

Friday, 12. 06.

South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)

/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/

22.00: (1.85) Canada (3.70) B&H (4.25)

Saturday, 13.06.

04.00: (2.05) USA (3.35) Paraguay (3.80)

22.00: (12.0) Qatar (5.40) Switzerland (1.28)

Sunday, 14.06.

01.00: (1.62) Brazil (3.80) Morocco (5.80)

04.00: (6.80) Haiti (4.45) Scotland (1.47)

07.00: (4.50) Australia (3.50) Turkey (1.83)

20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)

02.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)

Monday, 15.06.

02.00: (3.60) Ivory Coast (2.90) Ecuador (2.30)

05.00: (2.00) Sweden (3.35) Tunisia (4.00)

19.00: (1.10) Spain (9.50) Cape Verde (27.0)

22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)

Tuesday 16.06.

01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)

04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)

22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)

***odds are subject to change***