First-Ever World Cup Knockout: Canada Takes on South Africa

A Historic Moment for Both Nations

For the first time in their respective histories, Canada and South Africa will meet in a men’s FIFA World Cup knockout match. This landmark Round of 32 clash takes place Sunday, June 28 at 3 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The winner advances to the Round of 16, while the loser faces elimination. This is record: neither country has ever qualified past the group stage before .

Canada’s Rollercoaster Group Stage

Canada’s path through Group B was dramatic. They earned their first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then secured their first-ever win with a stunning 6-0 victory over Qatar, highlighted by Jonathan David’s hat-trick. Despite falling 2-1 to Switzerland in their final match, they finished second and advanced. However, the Qatar win came at a cost: midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg and is out for the tournament .

Coach Jesse Marsch acknowledged after the Switzerland loss that Canada missed an opportunity to top the group and should have made halftime tactical adjustments. Yet, the team’s focus remains on the knockout round where history is now being written .

Key Player Returns and Team Dynamics

The biggest breakthrough for Canada is the return of Alphonso Davies. Marsch confirmed Davies is fit to play his first World Cup match after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in a Champions League semifinal in early May. Davies has been a decoy against Switzerland—dressed but never intended to play—while the opposition worried about his presence. His return significantly boosts Canada’s left-side attacking threat, allowing the team to press high and exploit weaknesses in South Africa’s build-up .

South Africa’s Surprising Rise

South Africa’s journey was far from smooth. They opened with a 2-0 loss to Mexico, during which two players received red cards, making an early exit seem likely. They regrouped with a draw against Czechia and then delivered when it mattered. Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute goal against South Korea propelled them into the knockout stage for the first time ever .

Comparative Rankings and Expectations

While rankings suggest Canada holds the advantage, knockout soccer rarely respects them. Below is a comparison of both teams:

Team	FIFA Ranking	World Cup Appearances	Knockout Matches Won
Canada	30	2 (1986, 2022)	0
South Africa	60	3 (1998, 2002, 2010)	0

Canada enters ranked 30th by FIFA, while South Africa sits at 60th. On paper, Canada has the edge, but the knockout stage is where rankings often fade .

What Victory Means for Canadian Soccer

For Canadian fans, this match transcends a single result. Canada has appeared in only two World Cups—1986 and 2022—and has never won a knockout match. A victory on Sunday would be the most significant achievement in Canadian men’s soccer history. Captain Stephen Eustáquio captured the team’s mood after the Switzerland loss: “We’re sad and mad about this result. We’re ready for whatever’s next” .

That “next” is South Africa. The match kicks off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on TSN and CTV. Don’t miss this historic encounter.