Bosnia and Herzegovina's Canadian community ready for a World Cup party when team opens tournament vs. Canada

When Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Wales on March 26th on their path to qualify for the 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup, Ahmed Salihović booked a ticket to Sarajevo. 

The 22 year-old York University student knew that he had to be in his homeland for the final qualifying game, against Italy, that would determine who moves into the tournament that begins in June.

“I went to Bosnia to witness the atmosphere and just be there for the game,” Salihović said.

Salihović was born in New York, but spent his early childhood in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His family moved to Toronto in 2012. A fan of the Bosnian club FK Željezničar Sarajevo, he coordinated with a cousin in Sweden to meet in the capital. The match against Italy would be played in Zenica at Bilino Polje Stadium, 60 km north of Sarajevo and home to NK Čelik, a domestic team, and the national team.  

The Balkan nation emerged victorious much to the despair of Italians worldwide. But the celebrations and the jubilation from Bosnia and Herzegovina reverberated globally as videos went viral. The streets in the small Eastern European nation were flooded with supporters of the game bursting with pride, and Salihović was among them.

“None of us expected them to make it through,” he said. “So we’re just happy to see our nation at a big tournament."