Canada draws Tunisia 0-0 after learning first World Cup opponent

Canadian striker Tani Oluwaseyi (12) leaps over a challenge from Tunisian defender Omar Rekik in Toronto on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO — Maxime Crépeau and his countrymen were on the bus to BMO Field late Tuesday afternoon.

The group would normally be laser-focused on the task ahead. This trip was a little different.

The Canadian national team was glued to phone screens as they rolled toward the stadium, watching every moment unfold in a match taking place an ocean away that would have a huge impact on their immediate soccer future.

Canada eventually played Tunisia to a soggy, weather-delayed 0-0 draw in an international friendly. Before the squad stepped on the rain-soaked pitch, the World Cup co-hosts also finally knew their first opponent at the tournament.

The Canadians had plenty of chances in a game played hours after Bosnia-Herzegovina stunned 10-man Italy in a penalty shootout to clinch a European playoff and book the final spot in Group B this summer.

“The World Cup is arriving very fast,” said Crepeau, who had to make just one save in goal against Tunisia. “Bosnia was pretty much the team that was most in-form of the four that could have been a possibility … going to be a very tough opponent.”

Bosnia-Herzegovina will face Canada, currently ranked No. 30 by FIFA, in Toronto on June 12 in the opening Cup match for both teams.

“These kids grew up in a war-torn country … these young men have been through a lot in life,” Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch said of his team’s first World Cup adversary. “I have a lot of respect for what Bosnia has achieved, what those people have been through, what those players have been through.”

The Italians, four-time champions currently sitting No. 12 in the world, will miss a third straight World Cup following a 4-1 loss on penalties to the 66th-ranked nation.

Canada, which is sharing co-hosting duties with the United States and Mexico, wrapped up a March camp that included a number of injury absences, including captain Alphonso Davies.

Tuesday’s match against No. 44 Tunisia was delayed more than 90 minutes by thunder, lightning and torrential rain on Toronto’s waterfront.

Canada’s players returned to the pitch as the weather cleared, while Rihanna’s 2007 hit “Umbrella” featuring Jay-Z rang around BMO Field.

Wearing its black change kit, the Canadians roared out of the gate in the first half with a boatload of opportunities as hearty supporters for both countries were in full voice.

Tani Oluwaseyi and Liam Millar, starting on the right side of midfield for the suspended Tajon Buchanan, both had good chances before Niko Sigur fired high over Mouhi Chamakh’s goal. Starting his first game for Canada, Marcelo Flores ran the show from the left side of the park.

But it was Tunisia, which qualified for the World Cup and will play in Group F, that had the best opportunity to go in front in the 35th minute.

A mistake by Canadian defender Joel Waterman led to a 2-on-0 break the other way, but Millar made a lung-busting run to block Elias Saad’s chance after Sayfallah Ltaief’s pass led his strike partner a little too far.

“I knew Liam was fast, but I didn’t know he was that fast,” fellow midfielder Ismaël Koné said with a smile. “Put himself on the line for the team.”

Crépeau and Marsch both emphatically celebrated as if the winger had scored at the other end.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a play like Liam and how far he ran,” Marsch said. “An amazing play and a defining play for what we’re trying to be.”

“I’m just here to help the team,” Millar added. “That was my moment.”

Coming off Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Iceland in another friendly, Canada again had more of the ball in the second half, but the team was unable to find a clean look at Chamakh.

“The whole game I sat there feeling like, ‘I love this team,’” Marsch said. “They’re fun, they’re dynamic, they’re energetic, they’re aggressive.”

After its curtain-raising World Cup encounter just over 70 days away in Toronto against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Canadians will travel west to meet No. 55 Qatar on June 18 and No. 19 Switzerland on June 24 at Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium.

“Every game’s going to be so tight,” Crépeau said. “Small margins will make the difference. One false step will make the difference.”

Canada has two more international friendlies before the tournament — on June 1 in Edmonton against No. 50 Uzbekistan and on June 5 in Montreal against No. 59 Ireland.

“Guys are really willing to sacrifice themselves to do whatever to help the team be successful,” Marsch said. “It’s a pleasure to be their coach. We’ve got some tough decisions coming up over the next eight weeks, but I really like our team, I really like our chances.

“And we continue to, I think, give everything we have every time we’re together.”

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

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press