World Cup: Džeko on bench for Bosnia & Herzegovina as they face Davies-less co-hosts Canada

Edin Džeko isn’t in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s starting lineup for their first World Cup game since 2014 as they face co-hosts Canada.

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Edin Džeko will start on the bench for Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening World Cup fixture against Canada. The co-hosts are looking for their first-ever point, while Sergej Barbarez hopes to become the first coach to lead his nation to the knockout stages.

The former Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Hamburger SV striker has several Bundesliga stars in his squad. Nikola Vasilj, who suffered relegation to 2. Bundesliga with St. Pauli, starts between the sticks, while Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirović leads the attack.

Nikola Katić, who is a teammate of Džeko at Schalke, also gets a starting nod. Meanwhile, former Schalke and Hoffenheim defender Sead Kolašinac wears the captain’s armband in the absence of the 40-year-old striker.

Bayer Leverkusen’s future star Kerim Alajbegović and Karlsruhe’s midfielder Dženis Burnić are also on the bench for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Haris Tabaković and Canada’s captain Alphonso Davies are out of the game due to injuries. Former RB Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch is the coach of Canada.

Confirmed Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina Lineups

Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Kone, Estaquio ©, Millar; David, Oluwaseyi

Bosnia and Herzegovina XI: Vasilj; Dedić, Katić, Muharemovic, Kolašinac ©; Bajraktarević, Bašić, Tahirović, Memić; Lukić, Demirović