"If you do this for a living this is where you want to be," the American told reporters at Toronto's BMO Stadium, which is hosting six World Cup matches.

"I came here to lead them in the World Cup, right, in a home World Cup. I wanted this responsibility," he said.

"I love sitting in that coach's box when the stadium's full and the pressure's on and everybody thinks you're an idiot," Marsch said.

The former US international had been widely linked with the head coach position for his home country after being sacked by Leeds United in 2023.

Instead, he took charge north of the border and now has the opportunity to guide Canada to its first-ever World Cup win.

Canada qualified for the World Cup in 1986 and 2022, but lost all six of their matches across those tournaments.

Expectations are higher this year, with a squad featuring several players competing in Europe's top leagues.

However, Marsch said Canada's leading player, Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, remains unavailable for the Bosnia match due to a hamstring injury.

"We did an MRI with him yesterday. It showed very positive signs that he's healing incredibly well," Marsch said, confirming Davies "will not be available tomorrow."

Stephen Eustaquio will captain the hosts in the first-ever World Cup match to be played in Canada.

"It's a dream come true," said Eustaquio, who plays for Los Angeles FC in MLS.

Marsch was asked about nerves within his squad, which faces unprecedented expectations of progressing from the group stage, but said the atmosphere had been "pretty normal."

"There wasn't really a need for big mental and psychological messages. We're all aware of the World Cup. We're all aware of it being at home. We're all excited," Marsch said.

Bosnia-Herzegovina qualified for their second World Cup by defeating Italy, and coach Sergej Barbarez said his side had plenty of experience facing higher-ranked opponents.

"We are, of course, sort of an underdog here," Barbarez said, adding: "the road (to the tournament) was by no means easy."

However, he noted that his team's ability to surprise opponents has its limits.

"I love this game between David and Goliath, but the world gets to know you after a while."

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