Italy fans in Toronto ‘disheartened’ after loss, Canada to play Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup opener

As fans at Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Bilino Polje Stadium erupted as their men’s national soccer team qualified for the FIFA World Cup, the mostly pro-Italy crowd at Toronto’s Cafe Diplomatico was stunned following Tuesday’s match.

Bosnia and Herzegovina upset four-time World Cup champions Italy in a penalty shootout to claim the final Group B spot and will face Canada at Toronto Stadium on June 12.

This is the first time since 2014 that Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently ranked No. 69 in the world, has qualified for the quadrennial soccer tournament.

One Bosnian who attended the watch party at the Little Italy restaurant was thrilled about the win.

• READ MORE: GTHA’s Bosnia and Herzegovina diaspora elated after beating Italy to earn World Cup spot

“I’ve been waiting for this moment since 2014. We haven’t qualified since then. I can’t believe it,” he told CTV News Toronto following the match.

“Even though they weren’t the favourites, Bosnian soul can’t be broken. We fight hard, win or lose, and I’m very proud of the people of my people, of my country and the players.”

• IN PHOTOS: Here’s a look inside Toronto Stadium, the city’s FIFA World Cup 2026 venue

Fans were hoping to see Canada vs Italy

Meanwhile, those who were hoping to see Italy back at the World Cup were disappointed. The Azzurri last played at the soccer tournament in 2014.

“Same thing we’ve been feeling in the last couple of World Cups. Everything in Toronto: we got the Leafs, we got the Blue Jays, Buffalo Bills—it all ends the same way the last couple of years. We’re used to this,” one Italy fan said.

After Italy failed to qualify, he said he would be cheering for Canada in the summer.

“Extremely sad, disheartened, a little bit broken, candidly,” another Italy fan said when asked how he was feeling.

“I’ve had better days.”

He told CTV News Toronto that it would have been a “beautiful thing” to watch Canada take on Italy in Toronto this summer.

The Greater Toronto Area is home to a large Italian-Canadian community.

“I think it would have meant a lot for me as someone with an Italian background, and a lot of people in this city. It’s sad,” he said.

A fellow Italy fan echoed his sentiments, saying Toronto would have been “on fire,” if Italy had qualified and faced Canada.

After facing Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Canadians will then play Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver.

In addition to Canada’s opener, Toronto is hosting five other matches, including one Round of 32 knockout match.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, with a record 48 nations competing.

With files from The Canadian Press