World Cup 2026 knockout stage begins: South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles, France faces Sweden on Tuesday
The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 begins today in Los Angeles with South Africa taking on Canada at 21:00 Paris time. France, group winners, will play Sweden on Tuesday at the MetLife Stadium.
Opening match: South Africa faces Canada in Los Angeles
The knockout phase opens Sunday, June 28, at 21:00 Paris time (noon local) with a clash of two second‑placed teams from their groups. South Africa, back in the tournament for the first time since hosting in 2010, has reached the last 32 for the first time in its fourth World Cup appearance. Canada, a co‑host, is also in uncharted territory, having never advanced beyond the group stage in three previous attempts. Their only prior meeting was a 2007 friendly won 2‑0 by South Africa. The match will be broadcast on M6 and beIN Sports in France.
France takes on Sweden after a perfect group stage
Les Bleus won all three group matches (3‑1 against Senegal, 3‑0 against Iraq, and 4‑1 against Norway) to top their group. They face Sweden on Tuesday, June 30, at 23:00 Paris time at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ousmane Dembélé scored a hat‑trick against Norway. Coach Didier Deschamps rejoined the team after attending his mother’s funeral in France. If France advances, they will meet the winner of Germany vs Paraguay in the round of 16 on Saturday, July 4, at 23:00 in Philadelphia. A potential quarter‑final would be July 9 in Boston, the semi‑final July 14 in Dallas, and the final July 19 back at the MetLife Stadium.
Africa’s record eight‑team presence
The last 32 features eight African nations, a historic high for the continent. Morocco (vs Netherlands), Senegal (vs Belgium), Ivory Coast (vs Norway), DR Congo (vs England), and Algeria (vs Switzerland) are all in action. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach this stage, will face defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi. Scenarios for an all‑African round of 16 exist if results align, for instance a Morocco–South Africa or a Cape Verde–Egypt meeting.
- South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles
- Brazil vs Japan
- Germany vs Paraguay
- Netherlands vs Morocco
- Ivory Coast vs Norway
- France vs Sweden at MetLife Stadium
- United States vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Spain vs Group J runner-up
- Australia vs Egypt
- Argentina vs Cape Verde
Key fixtures across the bracket
Other notable ties include Brazil vs Japan on Monday, June 29, at 19:00 Paris time, and Germany vs Paraguay later that evening. The United States, the third host, plays Bosnia‑Herzegovina on July 2 at 2:00 a.m. Paris time. Spain waits for the runner‑up of Group J on July 2; Argentina meets Cape Verde in the last match of the round at midnight on July 4. The remaining group stage matches in Groups J, K, and L will finalize the few still‑open matchups this weekend.
