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The FIFA World Cup knockout rounds commence Sunday with a pair of nations that are in new territory
South Africa, second in Group A, meets Canada, second in Group B, at noon in Inglewood as the competition shifts from points based to single-elimination
Ending with the World Cup final July 19, the eventual champion will need to win five straight matches over the next 22 days
Though breaking barriers has been the theme so far for Canada and South Africa, neither is a popular pick to make it much further than they already have
“I think what we did now already is a little miracle,” said 74-year-old Belgian Hugo Broos, who has served as South African head coach since 2021
Expelled from FIFA in 1976 as a consequence of its apartheid government, South Africa returned in 1992. Through three World Cup appearances (1998, 2002, 2010), it failed to emerge from the group stage
Taking a rare shutout defeat in the opening match against Mexico on June 11 in Mexico City, however, Broos’ group felt overwhelmed yet resilient the way he believed they would be despite losing attacking midfielder Themba Zwane to a three-game suspension that was upheld on appeal following a red card
Known as “Bafana Bafana,” which translates to “the boys” in Zulu, South Africa drew Czechia and held South Korea scoreless to earn a dramatic three points and close out group play clinching its historic place alongside Canada as a knockout newcomer
Sunday’s Round of 32 contest guarantees a first-ever do-or-die World Cup victory one way or the other, and a clash against Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston
That path could require two 15-minute periods of extra time plus a penalty-kick shootout Sunday if the contest stands all square at the end of regulation
As one of three co-hosts for the expanded 48-team field alongside the U.S. and Mexico, Canada qualified automatically for 2026
Sixteen summers ago, South Africa did the same thing, welcoming 31 teams. In the midst of eight World Cups without qualification, Canada was not among them. That drought ended in 2022 when many of the players on Canada’s fast and athletic roster earned a spot in Qatar
They went 0-6-0 in previous trips to the World Cup, including 1986, but in front of home crowds in Toronto and Vancouver the past two weeks, Canada produced a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 6-0 romp over Qatar, and a second-place securing 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in the last game of group play on the 24th
Unable to rally against the Swiss after sleep-walking out of the halftime break cost Canada momentum, a few days’ rest and the chance for two more appearances on home soil before the competition culminates in the U.S. from the quarterfinal onwards
“We wanted to be here in Vancouver, but we still have a massive opportunity ahead of us to find a way to push for the next match and find a way to still electrify the nation even though it will be from Los Angeles,” said 52-year-old American Jesse Marsch, Canada’s head coach since 2024
A trio of current Los Angeles Football Club players, plus a blast from the past, will come in tow
Starting goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, the injured star of LAFC’s MLS Cup victory, is with Orlando City after two years in Portland
Midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, Canadian vice-captain, could have no more than a couple more days remaining with LAFC. Starting the first two group-stage matches and coming off the bench for the last half hour against South Korea, Eustáquio joined the Black & Gold on loan from FC Porto six months ago. That deal expires June 30. LAFC has not commented on his status
Jacob Shaffelburg and Mathieu Choinière have also played important roles and look in form coming off a hard-fought few months under LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos
FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32
Who: Canada vs. South Africa
When: Noon Sunday
Where: Inglewood
TV: FOX, Peacock, Telemundo (Spanish)
