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Co-hosts Canada and South Africa will make history on Sunday when they face each other in the opening match of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Round of 32, with both nations reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
The encounter at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles guarantees a first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance for either side.
South Africa advanced after recovering from an opening defeat to Mexico, securing qualification with a crucial victory over South Korea. The achievement also contributed to Africa’s impressive showing at the expanded 48-team tournament, with nine teams reaching the knockout phase.
Canada also booked a place in the last 32 but surrendered top spot in their group after a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland, forcing them to travel to the United States for the knockout fixture.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch on Saturday confirmed that Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies is available after missing the group stage with a hamstring injury, describing his return as a major boost that could significantly raise the team’s level.
“Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, I think it’s a big moment for the team and a big boost for the team,” Marsch said.
“He’s a big X factor for us,” he added.
“Being on the pitch, the belief they have in him, the belief he has in himself, I think changes the possibility of what the potential of our team is, and what we can do in this tournament,” Marsch added.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos said reaching the knockout stage had already made the tournament a success for his side but stressed that his players were determined to go further. He said South Africa would approach the match with the same mentality they displayed against South Korea, believing they had every chance of defeating a strong Canadian side.
“That doesn’t mean now that we are happy and that we just play the game tomorrow and go home. Once you are there, you want more, and we want to win the game tomorrow,” he said.
“I think if we can show the same mentality and the same level that we played against South Korea, then I think we had a chance to win it — even if Canada is a very tough team.”
Elsewhere, the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday secured a historic first World Cup victory with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time. The result set up a Round of 32 meeting with England.
Austria and Algeria also advanced after a dramatic 3-3 draw in Group J, a result that eliminated Iran despite the Asian side’s hopes of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Reigning champions Argentina completed a perfect group campaign with a 3-1 victory over Jordan, with Lionel Messi scoring his sixth goal of the tournament. Argentina will now face surprise qualifiers Cape Verde in the next round.
