The report says Millar’s route to the tournament has included almost a year away from football after suffering the injury against Burnley in 2024, as well as a period of mental-health difficulty. His return gathered momentum during Hull’s promotion-winning campaign, completed at Wembley last month.
Now, the 26-year-old could begin Canada’s Group B campaign in the city where he grew up. That possibility remains a reported expectation rather than a confirmed team selection, but the symbolism is obvious: a player who fought his way back from a serious setback potentially starting the biggest match of his career on home soil.
Former Canada captain Dwayne De Rosario believes the occasion will resonate throughout the squad, particularly among players with strong family and personal connections to the country. He views the national anthem, a sold-out crowd and the World Cup stage as the kind of moment players imagine throughout their careers.
De Rosario also sees the tournament as a chance to build football’s place in Canada. Canada’s previous World Cup appearance came decades ago, while hosting matches now offers an opportunity to bring new supporters into the sport across Toronto and beyond.
For Millar, that wider significance is matched by a familiar club connection. Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Amir Hadziahmetovic is a former Hull team-mate, while Tigers head coach Sergej Jakirovic was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Marsch will need Canada to balance emotion with discipline. The hosts are expected to embrace the occasion, but Bosnia and Herzegovina should provide a serious opening test. Millar’s pace and directness could offer an important outlet if he is selected.
Friday’s team news will confirm whether the comeback reaches its defining chapter. The next storyline is clear: can Millar turn a remarkable recovery into a memorable World Cup beginning?