Canada take on South Africa in the first knockout game of the World Cup 2026 with the two teams clashing in Los Angeles this evening.
Canada finished Group B in second place, having thrashed Qatar 6-0 in between a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina and a loss to Switzerland in their final group game.
Jesse Marsch’s men now take on Bafana Bafana who finished as runners-up in Group A. South Africa began the tournament slowly with a loss to Mexico but have steadily improved after a draw with Czech Republic and a crucial win over South Korea which sent them throught.
This contest seems like a decent match up on paper with both teams believing they have the abilities to beat the other and reach the next round. Whoever proves triumphant will go on to face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the last-16.
Follow all the action from the World Cup last-32 with our live blog below:
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South Africa v Canada live
- South Africa take on Canada in the first game of the round of 32 | Kick off at 8pm, live on ITV1
- Co-hosts Canada finished second in Group B with South Africa runners-up from Group A
- Winner of this tie will face Netherlands or Morocco in last-16
- South Africa XI: Williams; Modiba, Mbokazi, Mudau, Okon; Mokoena, Sithole; Appollis, Mofokeng, Maseko, Makgopa
- Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, Cornelius, Bombito, Laryea; Eustaquio, Millar, Saliba; David, Oluwaseyi, Buchanan
A worrying sign?
19:36 , Mike JonesCanada have also lost both of their competitive meetings with African nations.
They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cameroon in the 2001 Confederations Cup before losing 2-1 to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Is that a worrying sign for Jesse Marsch’s men?
The inspiration behind South Africa’s incredible World Cup comeback as Bafana Bafana advance
19:30 , Jack RathbornHistory for South Africa and the most remarkable turnaround for Bafana Bafana to lock up a place in the knockout phase at a World Cup 2026 for the first time.
From the humiliation at the hands of hosts Mexico, including two red cards, to a dramatic late win on Wednesday thanks to Thapelo Maseko, to down South Korea 1-0 and leapfrog them into second.
The inspiration behind South Africa’s incredible World Cup comeback
Finding the target
19:24 , Mike JonesCanada failed to score in their first four World Cup matches but have since found the net at least once in each of their last five games.
However, 60% of their goals at this tournament (6/10) came in their 6-0 win over nine-man Qatar.
Upping the ante
19:18 , Mike JonesCanada had 21 shots on target in the group stages, almost double the amount they managed in their first two tournament appearances combined (6 in 1986, 5 in 2022).
Canada's main threat
19:12 , Mike JonesNathan Saliba has been involved in three goals in his two World Cup appearances for Canada so far (1 goal, 2 assists), having only managed two goals in his first 15 international games.
Taking his shot
19:06 , Mike JonesSouth Africa’s second-place qualification was largely thanks to Thapelo Maseko, who scored the winner in a vital 1-0 victory over South Korea.
Despite playing only 159 of 270 possible minutes, he had more shots than any other South African player during the group stages (eight).
Canada make World Cup history despite Switzerland defeat
19:00 , Mike JonesGoals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi saw Switzerland beat hosts Canada 2-1 in Vancouver to top Group B but the Canadians reached the knockout rounds for the very first time.
Why Canada defeat to Switzerland could have huge impact on World Cup hopes
South Africa v Canada line-ups
18:58 , Mike JonesSouth Africa XI: Williams; Modiba, Mbokazi, Mudau, Okon; Mokoena, Sithole; Appollis, Mofokeng, Maseko, Makgopa
Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, Cornelius, Bombito, Laryea; Eustaquio, Millar, Saliba; David, Oluwaseyi, Buchanan
South Africa have the edge?
18:42 , Mike JonesSouth Africa and Canada have only met once before and it was the African nation who came out on top.
Bafana Bafana triumphed 2-0 in an international friendly back in 2007.
Will they also win this match up tonight?
A remarkable qualification
18:36 , Mike JonesSitting 61st in the world, South Africa will be the joint third-lowest-ranked side to play in the knockout stages of the World Cup, behind Nigeria (74th in 1998) and Russia (70th in 2018), and level with Japan (61st in 2018).
A surprise result
18:30 , Mike JonesSouth Africa were not expected to qualify as runners-up in Group A having beaten off South Korea and Czechia to finish behind Mexico.
In fact, South Africa had the fewest touches in the opposition box (35) and created the fewest big chances (2) of any side in their group.
Uncharted territory
18:24 , Mike JonesTonight’s match is uncharted territory for both South Africa and Canada given neither had ever made it out of the group stages of the World Cup.
It will be the first time two teams are facing each other in their first such match since the 2002 tournament.
Turkey beat hosts Japan 1-0 on that occasion. Will the co-hosts win this one tonight?
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
18:18 , Mike JonesThe 2026 World Cup is into the serious stuff after the group stage, as the knockout rounds begin with a first ever last-32.
The top two sides in each group qualified for knockouts along with the eight best third-place teams. Uruguay and Scotland were among the 16 nations eliminated, while tournament contenders including Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, England and Germany all topped their groups.
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
I live for these moments
18:12 , Mike Jones"When it comes to World Cup knockout stages and the fact that we haven't been there means that our team hasn't been in this situation before,” rationalised Canada manager Jesse Marsch.
“But we have been in similar situations... Alphonso has been in Champions League finals. We're going to experience difficulty in the match, we're going to experience success, we're going to have challenges and the key is that we're ready to rise to all those challenges.
“For me, when you do this for a living, I live for these moments."
It was hard to watch
18:06 , Mike JonesDavies also spoke about what it was like to sit on the sidelines for the group stage.
"It was painful [not to play in the group stage]. The only thing you want to do is play football, it's what I'm really passionate about,” he said.
“The first game watching it, I was really eager to get on the pitch. The second game more so and the third game I went to [Jesse Marsch] before the game and asked him if I could play a couple of minutes. He could have said, 'Yes, we'll throw you in there.'
“But he cares about the team as human beings and explained that I had not gone through my progressions to get back on the pitch. It was hard to hear.... and watch those three games."
Davies to return for Canada
18:00 , Mike JonesArguably Canada’s best player, Alphonso Davies, has had to sit on the sidelines for the beginning of this World Cup.
He’s been recovering from injury and there was a plan to keep him out for the first three games.
Davies has seemingly recovered though and should feature at some point this evening.
Who has qualified for the knockout stages?
17:54 , Mike JonesGroup A: Mexico, South Africa
Group B: Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden
Group G: Belgium, Egypt
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Norway, Senegal
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria
Group K: Colombia, Portugal, DR Congo
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana
Co-hosts Canada seek to make more World Cup history
17:48 , Mike JonesWorld Cup co-hosts Canada are hoping to write a new chapter in their history books when they travel to Los Angeles to face South Africa in the last 32.
Jesse Marsch’s men had hoped to be playing Canada’s first-ever World Cup knockout match at home in Vancouver, but that dream was dashed after they were defeated by Switzerland in their final group game, finishing runners-up in Group B.
It may finally be time for a first World Cup appearance from Canada’s captain, Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, who has been recovering from a hamstring issue and was on the bench as a “decoy”, according to his boss, for that loss to Switzerland.
Welcome to the real World Cup – the tournament begins now
17:42 , Miguel DelaneyAmong a lot of the most celebrated World Cup 2026 squads, coaches have already sought to ensure the intensity of training has gone up. There’s a new edge that only knockout football, and especially World Cup knockout football, can bring.
The Dutch squad perhaps put it best ahead of the most fascinating last-32 tie of all, against Morocco.
South Africa v Canada predicted line-ups
17:36 , Mike JonesPredicted South Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mbatha, Mokoena; Masekom, Mofokeng, Appollis; Makgopa.
Predicted Canada XI: Crepau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius Laryeal Buchanan, Saliba, Choiniere, Ahmed; David, Larin.
Team news for South Africa
17:30 , Mike JonesFor South Africa, there’s a boost in the form of Teboho Mokoena’s return, after he served his one-game ban, but his midfield colleague Themba Zwane remains absent.
Canada's early team news
17:24 , Mike JonesThere’s good and bad news for Canada.
On a positive note, their star defender Alphonso Davies may be fit for his first minutes of the tournament, but on a negative note, Ismael Kone is out of action due to his fractured tibia, and Stephen Eustaquio and Alfie Jones are doubts.
Who will the winner face?
17:18 , Mike JonesA tough test will await the winners, as they will take on either Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday 4 July.
How can I watch it?
17:12 , Mike JonesIn the UK, the game will air live on ITV1 and ITV X. In the US, it will air live on Fox Sports.
When is South Africa v Canada?
17:06 , Mike JonesThe fixture will take place at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday 28 June at 8pm BST (12pm PT / 2pm CT / 3pm ET).
South Africa v Canada
17:00 , Mike JonesThe first knockout game of the 2026 World Cup has arrived, as co-hosts Canada take on South Africa.
Canada emerged from Group B in second place, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in between a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina and a loss to Switzerland.
Next, Jesse Marsch’s men play South Africa, who finished as runners-up in Group A. In their opener, they lost to another co-host in Mexico, before a draw with Czech Republic and a crucial win over South Korea.
Canada’s defeat by Switzerland cost them the chance to play their round-of-32 game on home soil, so they will instead travel to Los Angeles for this clash with South Africa.
Good Afternoon!
16:45 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of the World Cup.
We’re entering the first stage of the knockout rounds as co-hosts Canada take on South Africa in the last-32.
Both teams finished second in their respective groups and this match should be a close run affair which could go either way.
We’ll have all the updates, team news and line-ups from throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
