South Africa and Canada meet in Los Angeles for their first-ever World Cup knockout match
South Africa and Canada meet in the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, each seeking a maiden victory in a tournament elimination game. The winner in Los Angeles advances to a last-16 clash with Netherlands or Morocco in Houston.
The road to the knockout stage
South Africa finished second in Group A, collecting four points after a 2-0 loss to Mexico, a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic and a narrow 1-0 win over South Korea. The victory over the Koreans secured their first-ever progression beyond the World Cup group phase.
Canada also took second place in their section, Group C, with four points. The co-hosts drew 1-1 with Bosnia, thrashed Qatar 6-0 and then lost 2-1 to Switzerland in their final group game.
First-ever knockout appearance for both
Neither nation has previously played a World Cup elimination match. South Africa’s previous best was failing to advance in three group-stage appearances, while Canada’s only prior World Cup was in 1986, where they also exited at the group stage. Their only past meeting was a 2007 friendly, won 2-0 by South Africa.
Coaches’ milestones
South Africa is led by the Belgian Hugo Broos, who at 72 becomes the oldest coach to take charge of a World Cup knockout fixture. Broos has said this will be his final tournament before retirement. Canada’s Jesse Marsch has overseen a dynamic, attack-minded team that generated numerous chances in the group stage.
What comes next
The victor of this last-32 tie will travel to Houston for a round-of-16 meeting with the winner of Netherlands vs Morocco. Both sides will see this as a historic opportunity to extend a tournament run beyond anything their federations have previously achieved.
