South AfricavsCanada

Canada edged South Africa 1–0. Goalscorers — Canada: S. Eustaquio 90'+2.

South Africa met Canada in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, June 28, 2026. It belongs to the Round of 32 — the opening knockout stage introduced for the expanded 48-team format in 2026, bringing together the 12 group winners, 12 runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams. From this point the tournament is win-or-go-home.

Canada go in ranked 30th in the FIFA World Ranking to South Africa's 60th — a gap of 30 places that marks Canada out as clear favourites on paper. It is an inter-confederation meeting — South Africa of CAF against Canada of CONCACAF — the kind of contrast in styles the World Cup exists to stage. As one of the three host nations, Canada can count on home support across the tournament, an advantage that has historically lifted host teams.

South Africa hold a unique place in World Cup history as the first African nation to host the tournament in 2010, when the sound of vuvuzelas became the soundtrack of the football world. Bafana Bafana have a passionate fanbase and a domestic league that continues to develop talent.

Canada head to the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts, riding a remarkable surge in the country's football culture that has seen the sport grow exponentially in popularity. The Canadian Men's National Team qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years in 2022 and, despite not winning a match in Qatar, the experience was invaluable for a young squad.

South Africa: South Africa have appeared at three World Cups: 1998, 2002, and 2010 as hosts. Canada: Canada's World Cup history is limited, having qualified only twice before 2026: in 1986, where they lost all three group-stage matches without scoring, and in 2022, where they again exited in the group stage but showed considerable improvement.

The match is scheduled at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, United States. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 07:00 PM (03:00 PM ET).