Bosnian Canadians celebrate World Cup opening in Toronto

Days before the World Cup kicks off, brothers Adis and Amir Mrakovic stood outside their family deli in Etobicoke watching staff hang a Bosnian flag beside a Canadian one. When Canada takes on Bosnia-Herzegovina in the opening match at Toronto Stadium on Friday, their parking lot will become a watch party venue.

"It'll be a day for people to spend together, eat together and watch the game," Adis said. "Everybody's encouraged to cheer for who they want and have a blast."

Both brothers were born in Bosnia and moved to Canada as teenagers. When asked who they hope wins, each said a draw would suit them fine — they're cheering for both countries at once. The fact that their city is hosting and Bosnia is playing the opening game feels like icing on the cake.

"We're happy to share Bosnian culture with everyone," Adis said. "Hopefully, we can promote and show what we're all about to all of our Canadian neighbours. And then at the same time for any visitors that are visiting Canada, we can show them the Canadian hospitality and have a great time."

The Mrakovics aren't alone in their excitement. Ned Habibovic, a fan who watched the Bosnian team practice at a World Cup training site in Toronto on Tuesday, said having his homeland represented at this tournament is "huge" for the community. "This is touching deep to my heart and as well to all fans and Bosnians," he said, adding he expects Toronto Stadium to be filled with Bosnian supporters.

The Bosnian Canadian Association is hosting events from June 11 to 13 around the match and projects roughly 25,000 Bosnians and members of the diaspora will be in the Greater Toronto Area — traveling from Bosnia, across Europe, the United States, Canada, and as far as Australia. Emina Kapo, the association's general director, said months of building excitement have led to this moment.

"It's going to be a lot of connection, a lot of beauty, a lot of community," she said. "I'm really excited for Toronto and Canada to experience what football means for Bosnians, to see Bosnian culture, from the food to the people to the hospitality, in a place so many kilometres from Bosnia but that is going to feel like we're home."

Like the Mrakovics, Kapo is hoping for a tie. But as she put it plainly: "Bosnians celebrate win or lose. We will be partying regardless of what happens, whether it's a loss, a tie or a win."

It's a reminder that the World Cup is about more than the match — it's about identity, belonging, and bringing diaspora communities home, if only for a weekend.