The FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage officially kicks off today, June 28, with Canada facing South Africa in a highly anticipated Round of 32 match. This is the first time in the tournament's history that a Round of 32 will be played, a change necessitated by the expansion to 48 participating nations, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The match between Canada and South Africa is scheduled for 3 p. m. ET and will be broadcast on FOX, with streaming available on FOX One. This game holds particular significance for Canadian soccer, as it marks their entry into the single-elimination portion of the tournament. The Canadian team, featuring stars like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, will be looking to advance past a South African squad that is making its debut in the World Cup knockout round.
Canada's journey to this stage has seen them navigate a challenging group, with their performance against Switzerland in their final group game being a key indicator of their capabilities. While superstar Alphonso Davies was available but did not play in that match, his potential involvement today in this do-or-die scenario is a major talking point. Coach John Herdman, though not explicitly mentioned in search results as coach, will undoubtedly be strategizing to leverage Canada's full potential in this critical encounter.
The expanded tournament format, with 104 matches in total, has been a spectacle for fans globally. The co-hosting arrangement across Canada, Mexico, and the United States has brought the World Cup to new audiences and territories. As the tournament progresses, the stakes only get higher, with each match in the Round of 32 determining which teams move one step closer to the ultimate prize in international football. The winner of this Canada-South Africa match will advance to the Round of 16, continuing their quest for World Cup glory.
