Bosnia and Herzegovina's Edin Dzeko before the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Canada in Toronto. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Bosnia and Herzegovina returned to the FIFA World Cup stage after a 12-year absence when it took on co-host Canada in Toronto in its opening match of the 2026 tournament. But the team sheet contained one major surprise: the absence of record goalscorer Edin Dzeko from the starting lineup.

Why is Edin Dzeko not starting in Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina?

At 40, Dzeko is one of the oldest players at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s all-time leading goalscorer also holds the national record for appearances and is affectionately known as the ‘Bosnian Diamond’.

However, his omission from the starting lineup against Canada appears to be more tactical than injury-related. With Bosnia drawn alongside Asian champion Qatar, Switzerland and co-host Canada in a challenging group, the decision to leave Dzeko on the bench could be part of a broader squad-management strategy.

Should he come on during the match, Dzeko would become the second-oldest outfield player ever to appear in a FIFA World Cup game.

Published on Jun 13, 2026