Canada face South Africa in a historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash at SoFi Stadium. Follow live score, team news, Alphonso Davies' return, predictions, line-ups and match updates.
California: Canada secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after captain Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to seal a 1-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the knockout stage on Sunday.
With both nations appearing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, the contest looked destined for extra time after a tightly fought 90 minutes. However, Eustaquio delivered the decisive moment in the second minute of stoppage time, smashing a first-time effort from outside the penalty area into the bottom corner after South Africa failed to clear their lines.
The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Canadian players and fans at SoFi Stadium, where the co-hosts were backed by a vocal crowd despite playing away from their home venues in Toronto and Vancouver. Head coach Jesse Marsch hailed his side after the final whistle, gathering the squad in a huddle and declaring them "Canadian heroes" following the country's first-ever World Cup knockout victory.
Canada dominated possession for much of the contest and created the better chances, but South Africa's disciplined defence and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams kept the favourites at bay with a series of important saves. Bafana Bafana also threatened on the counterattack, producing several promising moments before eventually succumbing to late pressure.
The introduction of Alphonso Davies in the 75th minute provided Canada with fresh attacking impetus. Making his first appearance of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury, the Bayern Munich defender immediately influenced the game, setting up Promise David with a superb pass, only for the striker to send his effort narrowly wide.
Canada's persistence finally paid off in stoppage time when a clearance from the South African defence fell invitingly to Eustaquio on the edge of the box. The captain made no mistake, firing an unstoppable volley beyond Williams to send the co-hosts into the Round of 16.
Canada will now face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the next round, while South Africa bow out after an impressive campaign that included their maiden qualification for the World Cup knockout stage.
Updates
Canada secures R-16 spot
History Made! Canada reach the World Cup round of 16 for the first time with 1-0 victory over South Africa
CANADA scores!!! RSA 0-1 Canada
Stephen Eustaquio capitalizes after Jacob Shaffelburg's cross from the right is only partially cleared. The midfielder controls the loose ball with his chest on the edge of the box before rifling a powerful shot into the bottom-left corner, beyond the reach of a diving Williams.
90' Extra minutes
Five minutes of extra minutes as stalemate continues
85' South Africa chance
South Africa’s Oswin Appollis gets a shot away from outside the area, but the goalkeeper gathers it comfortably to keep the effort out.
76' Canada nearly scores
Promise David receives the ball just outside the South Africa box and unleashes a right-footed strike after a brilliant pass from the left, but it drifts narrowly past the left post with Williams diving full stretch.
75' Canada's triumph card is here
Star player Alphonso David is brought on as Canada makes a substitution, adding fresh energy to their attack in search of a late breakthrough
Double substitution by Canada
IN: Jacob Shaffelburg ⬅️ OUT: Liam Millar
IN: Promise David ⬅️ OUT: Tani Oluwaseyi
65' Canada nearly scores
RSA 0-0 CAN: Canada breaks at pace as Jonathan David gets a shot away, but the South African goalkeeper saves it well. Defender Mbokazi then produces a superb defensive intervention to snuff out the danger and keep the score level.
62' Great chance for South Africa
Oswin Appollis finds space on the edge of the box and lets fly, but his effort sails wide of the target as South Africa continue to threaten.
Double Change for Canada (58')
IN: Luc de Fougerolles ⬅️ OUT: Moïse Bombito
IN: Niko Sigur ⬅️ OUT: Nathan Saliba
56' RSA 0-0 CAN
South Africa has taken control since the restart, enjoying sustained spells of possession and pushing Canada deeper into their own half. Bafana Bafana are beginning to find space in and around the box, recording more touches in the Canadian penalty area as they search for the breakthrough.
Yellow card
First Yellow card of the game for Canada's Nathan Saliba
South Africa makes first substitution
South Africa make their first change at the break, with Thalente Mbatha replacing Relebohile Mofokeng. The switch adds extra solidity in midfield as Bafana Bafana look to gain more control and withstand Canada's attacking pressure in the second half.
Second half underway
RSA 0-0 CAN
Half Time | RSA 0-0 CAN
HALF TIME
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko, front, and Canada's Richie Laryea battle for the ball
43' Best chance of the game
Canada came within inches of taking the lead! A corner sparks chaos in the South African box, with multiple efforts on goal before a brilliant goal-line clearance keeps Bafana Bafana level. A huge let-off for South Africa.
38' RSA 0-0 CAN | Stats
South Africa continues to dominate possession with 60% of the ball and has completed 219 passes, compared to Canada's 154. However, Canada has looked more dangerous in attack, edging the shot count 4-3 and registering two shots on target to South Africa's one. Both teams have maintained an impressive 85% pass accuracy in a tightly contested first half.
33' RSA 0-0 CAN
South Africa threatens as Teboho Mokoena curls a dangerous ball into the box, but Maxime Crépeau reads it well and claims comfortably. Canada quickly regained the initiative, pinning Bafana Bafana back with sustained attacking pressure.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, FIFA President Infantino and others
29' RSA 0-0 CAN
High pressing from both sides has led to a scrappy contest, with fouls disrupting the flow as neither team has been able to establish sustained possession or build meaningful attacks.
22' RSA 0-0 CAN
Canada squander a golden chance. Stephen Eustaquio curls in an inviting free-kick, finding Derek Cornelius completely unmarked inside the box, but the defender's close-range header goes straight into the goalkeeper's arms. A huge opportunity goes begging for the co-hosts.
20' RSA 0-0 CAN
South Africa has enjoyed more of the ball in the opening stages, dominating possession with 65% compared to Canada's 35%. Bafana Bafana have also completed 135 passes at an 87% accuracy, controlling the tempo, while Canada have managed 76 passes with 84% accuracy. Despite seeing less of the ball, the co-hosts have looked the more threatening side going forward, registering two shots to South Africa's one, although only South Africa has tested the goalkeeper with a shot on target.
Brilliant build up plays
Both sides are finding space in midfield, but Canada look the sharper team. Jonathan David is causing problems up front, and his through ball releases Liam Millar into the box. However, South Africa's Mbokazi recovers brilliantly with a perfectly timed tackle to deny a clear chance.
South Africa 0-0 Canada (10')
The co-hosts have settled in well, pressing high and moving the ball confidently to exploit gaps in the South African defence. South Africa are taking a more direct approach, launching long passes forward in search of a rapid breakaway.
High intensity press vs Counter Attack
Canada have made the brighter start, pressing high up the pitch and looking composed in possession. Jesse Marsch's side have already managed a couple of touches inside South Africa's penalty area, while the Bafana Bafana are still searching for a way to play through Canada's aggressive press.
RSA 0-0 CAN
We're underway in this historic Round of 32 clash. Both Canada and South Africa are featuring in their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout match, with a place in the last 16 on the line. The opening exchanges have been played at a high tempo, with both sides pressing aggressively from the first whistle.
The wait is over! FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Kicks Off
Confirmed line-ups
Canada
Crepeau (GK); Johnston, Cornelius, Bombito, Laryea; Eustaquio, Millar, Saliba, Ahmed; David, Oluwaseyi, Buchanan
South Africa
R. Williams (GK), Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena; Maseko, Mofokeng, Appollis, Makgopa
Ismael Kone
Match overview
- Venue: SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium)
- Referee: Joao Pinheiro
- Kick-off time: 12 noon local time, June 28 (12:30 a.m. IST, June 29)
Team News
Jesse Marsch has made four changes to the starting XI. Molse Bombito, Stephen Eustaquio, Tani Oluwaseyi and Liam Millar come into the lineup, replacing Luc De Fougerolles, Cyle Larin, Mathieu Choiniere and Ali Ahmed.
Team News
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has made one change to the starting XI from the side that defeated South Korea. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena comes into the lineup, replacing Thalente Mbatha as Bafana Bafana make a single adjustment for their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash
How South Africa Qualified
South Africa booked their place in the Round of 32 by finishing second in Group A. After opening with a 2-0 loss to Mexico, Bafana Bafana kept their hopes alive with a gritty 1-0 victory over South Korea. Results elsewhere worked in their favour, sending Hugo Broos' side into the knockout stage for the first time in their World Cup history.
How Canada Qualified
Canada reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after finishing second in Group B. Jesse Marsch's side secured qualification with impressive wins before a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their final group match denied them top spot, forcing the co-hosts to travel to Los Angeles for their knockout fixture. The return of star defender Alphonso Davies is a major boost as Canada chase a historic place in the last 16.
Predicted Line-up | Canada
Crepeau (gk), Johnston, Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea, Buchanan, Choiniere, Saliba, Ahmed, David, Larin
Predicted Line-up | South Africa
R. Williams (gk), Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba, Mbatha, Mokoena, Maseko, Mofokeng, Appollis, Makgopa
South Africa vs Canada | Head-to-head record
This is the first-ever meeting between both nations in a FIFA World Cup stage. They have only faced each other once before, in an international friendly in 2007 with South Africa winning the game 2-0.
Match to start at 12:30 AM (IST)
Canada and South Africa will both make World Cup history when they meet in the opening game of the knockout round.
Published: 28 Jun 2026, 11:37 pm IST
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