History is being made this Sunday as Canada and South Africa meet for their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout match. Both nations have reached the Round of 32 for the very first time in their histories. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 28 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with the winner advancing to the Round of 16 and the loser eliminated.
The Road to the Knockouts
Canada’s journey through Group B was a mix of breakthrough moments and stumbles. The team secured their first-ever point at a senior men’s World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. They then delivered their first-ever World Cup victory in a stunning 6-0 win over Qatar, featuring a hat-trick from Jonathan David. However, a 2-1 loss to Switzerland in their final group match meant they finished second in Group B, yet still advanced to the knockout stage. The victory against Qatar came at a cost, as midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
South Africa’s path to the Round of 32 was equally dramatic. After a 2-0 opening loss to Mexico that saw two players receive red cards, an early exit seemed inevitable. The team regrouped to draw with Czechia before delivering their historic breakthrough with a 1-0 win over South Korea. Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute strike secured their place in the elimination rounds for the first time ever.
Key Players and Team News
The biggest update for Canada is the return of Alphonso Davies. Team coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that Davies will be fit to play for the first time at this World Cup after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in a Champions League semifinal in early May. Davies’ return transforms Canada’s attacking threat as he pushes high on the left flank while Jonathan David leads the line.
South Africa enters the match ranked 60th in the world by FIFA, while Canada is ranked 30th. Although the rankings suggest a clear advantage for Canada, knockout soccer rarely cares about table positions. The team is ready to face the challenge head-on, with captain Stephen Eustáquio stating that the sadness and anger after the Switzerland loss show the team is ready for whatever comes next.
What the Match Means for Both Nations
This match represents a monumental moment for men’s soccer in both countries. Canada has appeared in only two World Cups in their history (1986 and 2022) without ever winning a knockout match. A victory on Sunday would be the most significant result in Canadian men’s soccer history. Similarly, South Africa is participating in the elimination rounds for the first time after missing qualification for the last three tournaments and failing to advance in 2002 and 2010.
The winner of this Round of 32 clash will move on to the Round of 16, while the losing team is eliminated from the tournament entirely. Fans can watch the match on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on TSN and CTV.
- Both teams achieve their first-ever World Cup knockout qualification
- Canada enters ranked 30th; South Africa enters ranked 60th
- Alphonso Davies returns for Canada after injury
- Winner advances to Round of 16; loser is eliminated
- Match takes place Sunday, June 28 at 3 p.m. ET on TSN and CTV
This is not just a game; it is a historic milestone for both nations. Canada and South Africa will meet to determine which team writes the next chapter in their soccer history. Don’t miss this record clash.