History is unfolding this Sunday as Canada and South Africa face off in the inaugural Round of 32 of men’s World Cup play, marking the first knockout stage appearance for both nations. The match takes place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on June 28, representing a monumental moment in international soccer where neither country has ever previously advanced beyond the group stage.
Canada’s record Path to the Knockouts
Canada’s journey through the group stage was a dramatic mix of triumph and heartbreak that ultimately secured their place in the tournament’s next phase. After opening with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the team delivered a stunning 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver, claiming their first-ever World Cup win and featuring a hat-trick from Jonathan David. Despite falling 2-1 to Switzerland in their final match to finish second in Group B, Canada advanced to the knockout round for the first time in their history, a feat that underscores their rapid rise in global soccer rankings.
The victory over Qatar came at a personal cost, as midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg during the match and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Coach Jesse Marsch later acknowledged that tactical adjustments at halftime could have helped Canada top the group, yet the team’s elimination from the group stage rather meant they would travel to the United States for the knockout phase, a scenario they avoided the worst-case opposition by drawing South Africa instead of South Korea.
The Return of Alphonso Davies Transforms Canada
The most significant development for Canada heading into Sunday is the confirmed fitness of Alphonso Davies, who will play his first match at this World Cup after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in a Champions League semifinal. Davies, the Bayern Munich left-back, had been used as a decoy by Marsch against Switzerland, where the opposition worried about his potential involvement while the coach never intended to play him. His return dramatically enhances Canada’s attacking capabilities, allowing the team to press from the front with Davies pushing high on the left flank and Jonathan David leading the line to exploit weaknesses in South Africa’s defensive structure.
Canada currently holds the 30th FIFA world ranking, positioning them as favorites against South Africa, who sits at 60th. However, the knockout stage of soccer rarely respects rankings, as the pressure of single-elimination matches often reshuffles the perceived advantages between teams.
South Africa’s Shocking Rise as Bafana Bafana
South Africa’s path to the knockout stage was equally improbable, beginning with a crushing 2-0 defeat to Mexico where two players received red cards, making an early exit seem inevitable. The team regrouped by drawing against Czechia before delivering a decisive performance against South Korea, where Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute strike propelled them into the knockout stage for the first time ever. This historic achievement, celebrated by fans as Bafana Bafana reaching the World Cup knockouts, showcases the resilience and tactical growth that allowed South Africa to bounce back from a disastrous opening match.
The Stakes of a Historic First Victory
For Canadian soccer fans, this match represents more than a single game; it is the opportunity to secure the first-ever knockout victory in Canadian men’s soccer history. Canada has appeared in only two World Cups previously, in 1986 and 2022, without ever winning a knockout match, making a Sunday victory the most significant result in their national soccer timeline. Captain Stephen Eustáquio captured the team’s determination after the Switzerland loss, stating that the sadness and anger over the result proved the team was ready for whatever came next.
That next challenge is South Africa, and the broadcast will be available on TSN and CTV starting Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. This clash between two historic first-time knockout contenders will define the future of both nations in international soccer, with the winner advancing to the Round of 16 and the loser facing elimination from the tournament.