This Sunday, June 28, marks a monumental moment in soccer history as Canada and South Africa meet at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup. For the first time ever, both nations will play a knockout match in the tournament, having advanced past the group stage for the very first time in their respective histories.
Canada’s Rollercoaster Group Stage
The Canadian men’s national team endured a dramatic path to the knockout round. Their journey began with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, securing their first-ever point at a senior men’s World Cup. They then achieved their first-ever World Cup victory with a stunning 6-0 win over Qatar, where Jonathan David scored a historic hat-trick.
However, Canada fell 2-1 to Switzerland in their final group match, finishing as runner-up in Group B. Despite the loss, they secured their place in the Round of 32. The victory over Qatar came with a significant cost: midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg and is ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
Head coach Jesse Marsch acknowledged that Canada missed an opportunity to top the group. He admitted he should have made tactical adjustments at halftime during the Switzerland match. Yet, the team’s focus remains on the monumental task ahead: their first-ever knockout game.
Key Matchup Comparison
To understand the stakes, it is essential to compare the two teams’ paths and rankings. Both are knockout round debutants, but their experiences differ slightly.
| Team | FIFA Ranking | Group Stage Finish | Key Win | Major Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 30th | Group B Runner-up | 6-0 vs. Qatar | 2-1 vs. Switzerland |
| South Africa | 60th | Group A Runner-up | 1-0 vs. South Korea | 2-0 vs. Mexico |
While Canada holds a clear advantage on paper with a 30th-place ranking compared to South Africa’s 60th, knockout soccer rarely respects rankings.
South Africa’s Surprise Run
South Africa’s journey was equally unpredictable. They opened the tournament with a 2-0 loss to Mexico and two red cards, making an early exit seem likely. However, they regrouped to draw with Czechia and then delivered a massive performance against South Korea. Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute, securing a 1-0 win that catapulted them into the knockout stage for the first time ever.
- South Africa upset the favored Republic of Korea to reach the Round of 32.
- They have missed qualification for the last three tournaments.
- This is their deepest run in the tournament history.
Alphonso Davies Returns
The most significant personnel update comes from Canada’s left side. Coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that Alphonso Davies is fit to play for the first time at this World Cup. Davies, the Bayern Munich left-back, recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during a Champions League semifinal in early May.
Marsch revealed a tactical ruse: he used Davies as a decoy against Switzerland, dressing him and letting the opposition worry about him, even though he was never intended to play. With Davies now back, Canada’s attacking threat transforms. He will push high on the left, while Jonathan David leads the line, allowing Canada to press from the front and exploit weaknesses in South Africa’s build-up play.
What This Victory Means
For Canadian soccer fans, the stakes transcend a single match result. Canada has appeared in only two World Cups in their history (1986 and 2022), having never won a knockout match. A victory on Sunday would be the most significant result in Canadian men’s soccer history.
Captain Stephen Eustáquio captured the team’s determination after the Switzerland loss: “That’s a good sign, that fact that we are sad and mad about this result. We’re ready for whatever’s next”.
Whatever comes next is South Africa. The match kicks off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TSN and CTV. This is a historic night for both nations, and fans should not miss it.