During the intense matchup, the breakthrough for the Dutch came from Cody Gakpo, who scored the opening goal for Netherlands and was visibly moved to tears during his emotional celebration. Despite the grueling physical toll of the extended match and the pressure of the shootout, Morocco found a way to survive the high-stakes encounter and punch their ticket to the next round.

With the Round of 32 in the rearview mirror, Morocco now shift their focus to a massive Round of 16 matchup against Canada, which defeated South Africa. This fixture is scheduled for July 4 at Houston Stadium in Houston, United States. Looking further down the line, the winner of the encounter between Canada and Morocco will advance to face the winner of Paraguay vs France/Sweden.

Morocco pull off epic result in regulation time

Over the 90 minutes of regulation, the matchup was highly contested, with the second half especially standing out. The first half was much more of a chess match, with both sides analyzing the opponent, feeling out the zone, and playing without risking much.

The second half broke wide open after Issa Diop received a yellow card just two minutes after the restart in the 47th minute. From there, both sides showed much more aggression on the pitch, leading up to Cody Gakpo’s emotional opening goal in the 72nd minute. Everything pointed to a victory for the Netherlands, but a 90+1-minute equalizer by Issa Diop, turning himself into the ultimate hero, locked the score and forced extra time.

Quiet extra time leads to shootout drama

Neither side could find a breakthrough during extra time, as the physical toll and heavy legs were evident on both sides. The only notable opportunity of the entire extra period was a historic, monumental hand save by Bart Verbruggen to deny Rahimi and keep the Dutch squad alive.

In the penalty shootout, the Netherlands started with the upper hand through Teun Koopmeiners. However, a shot off the post from Justin Kluivert and a miss by Timber left them finished in a definitive frame filled with inaccuracy from both sides. For the Netherlands, Wout Weghorst and Koopmeiners converted their attempts, while Bono acted as the executioner with that final save.

On Morocco‘s side, inaccuracy was also present after Neil El Aynaoui hit the post, and Achraf Hakimi also missed his shot, sending it off the post and out. Saibari ultimately scored the decisive penalty for the North African side, while Bono stepped up as the hero after saving the penalty attempt from Summerville.

Although Canada’s next opponent has yet to be confirmed, thanks to the locked 2026 World Cup bracket, Les Rouges know they will go up against one of two teams in the round of 16. Canada will face the winner of Match 75 between Netherlands and Morocco.

Needless to say, either will make for a tough challenge for the Canucks, who have waved their chances of playing in Canada goodbye after coming out as runner-ups in Group B. Had Canada won their group, they would have played in the Great White North through the round of 16. More specifically, Canada would have played at BC Place in Vancouver.

When and where are Canada playing next?

The Canucks have advanced in the 2026 World Cup but will keep playing away from home in soccer’s biggest tournament. Canada will play Netherlands or Morocco at Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), home of the Houston Texans of the NFL.

Canada’s next game in the 2026 World Cup will be on July 4th. Whether they will play the Oranje or Atlas Lions, that has yet to be determined. However, Canada will have an extra day’s rest over their next opponent as the round of 32 game between Morocco and Netherlands will be played on June 29.

Canada are after history

Canada have made it past the World Cup group stage for the first time in national team history. Thus, however far they go in the 2026 World Cup will become their best finish ever. Determined to chase history and make their nation proud, Les Rouges are playing with a chip on their shoulder and have proven they are not to be taken for granted.

2026 World Cup bracket

Canada are the first team through to the Round of 16, while South Africa are the first side to be eliminated in the knockout stage. However, the fun is only just beginning, with all the Round of 32 matches set to be played in the coming days.

The decisive goal came in the 92nd minute in Los Angeles after a tightly contested match that appeared destined for extra time. It was a cruel ending for one of the tournament’s biggest surprise teams.

Although South Africa’s World Cup journey is over, the tournament will still be remembered as a historic achievement for Bafana Bafana. Their fans and players left amazing images in North America.

How did South Africa lose to Canada?

South Africa produced another disciplined defensive performance and kept Canada under pressure throughout the match. However, after holding firm for almost the entire game, the African side conceded a dramatic winner from Stephen Eustaquio. It was a painful way to exit after such a determined display.

Why was South Africa’s 2026 World Cup historic?

Despite the elimination, this tournament marked the most successful World Cup campaign in South African history. For the first time ever, South Africa advanced beyond the group stage, reaching the Round of 32 after finishing second in Group A. That milestone represents a major step forward for the national team and one of the country’s greatest achievements on the world stage.

For many fans, that may seem surprising. However, the explanation has nothing to do with scheduling changes. It is simply the way the World Cup knockout bracket was designed before the tournament began.

Canada’s finish in the group stage ultimately determined where it would play once the knockout rounds started. It’s a bittersweet and historic situation for the event.

Why isn’t Canada playing at home in 2026 World Cup?

The reason is that Canada finished second in Group B. Under the official 2026 World Cup bracket, the runner-up from Group B is paired with the runner-up from Group A in the Round of 32, with that match assigned to Los Angeles. As a result, Canada was forced to leave home despite qualifying for the knockout stage.

What if Canada had won Group B?

Had Canada finished first in Group B, the situation would have been very different. The Canadians would have faced Algeria in the Round of 32 and remained in Vancouver, where they also would have been scheduled to play a potential Round of 16 match. Winning the group would have allowed Canada to keep its home-field advantage for at least one more knockout round.

Is this unusual for a host nation in 2026 WC?

Yes, it is. Canada is one of the tournament’s host countries, yet it is playing its first knockout match outside its own country because of its second-place finish in the group. If it beats South Africa today, Canada will play the Round of 16 in Houston.

Mexico, by comparison, won its group and can remain in Mexico City through the Round of 16. It is one of the unique features of the expanded 2026 World Cup format, where even host nations can be required to travel depending on their position in the standings.

As it stands, Canada are No. 32 on the FIFA Rankings. As for South Africa’s FIFA ranking, they are ranked at No. 54. Entering the 2026 World Cup, Canada were at No. 30, meaning they’ve dropped two spots for coming in second place in Group B.

Fortunately for Canada, their current ranking isn’t official and they have more than enough time to reverse course and climb their way up in the FIFA World Rankings. All they need to do is simple—on paper—keep winning. Defeating Bafana Bafana in the round of 32 would be a good start, as Canada know what happens if they lose or tie against South Africa.

Unofficial ranking

Because FIFA’s last update to its rankings came on June 11, before the start of the 2026 World Cup, and the next update won’t come until July 19, when the tournament crowns a new world champion, Canada’s current spot at No. 32 is only temporary.

It means Canada would rank there if the 2026 World Cup ended right now. However, we all know it won’t. Some might say soccer’s biggest competition is only getting started as the knockout stage gets underway and the real fun begins. However, this also means the tournament could come to an early end for any team, including Canada.

Canada will be away from home moving forward

The Great White North is well aware of what’s at stake when they take on Bafana Bafana in California. Despite being co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Canada won’t play at home again in the tournament.

Thus, their loss to Switzerland not only caused them to drop a couple of spots in the FIFA World Rankings, but it also deprived them of home-field advantage moving forward. From now on, Canada will play in the United States in every round they advance to.

Canada advanced after drawing 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina, crushing Qatar 6-0, and narrowly losing 2-1 to Switzerland. Those performances allowed the Canadians to reach the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history.

South Africa, meanwhile, emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. Bafana Bafana finished second in Group A, eliminating teams such as South Korea and Czechia to book a place in the Round of 32. Joao Pinheiro will be the referee for South Africa vs. Canada today.

What city is hosting Canada vs South Africa?

Canada and South Africa are playing in Inglewood, California. The city is part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and is hosting the first match of the knockout stage.

What stadium are Canada vs South Africa playing in?

The match will be played at Los Angeles Stadium. The venue is best known around the world as SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. It is also scheduled to host next season’s Super Bowl, making it one of the premier sporting venues in North America.

What is the expected attendance for Canada vs South Africa?

A crowd of 70,492 fans is expected for today’s Round of 32 clash. With Canada chasing another historic milestone and South Africa looking to continue their Cinderella run, the atmosphere in Los Angeles is expected to be outstanding.

What is the weather forecast for Canada vs South Africa?

The forecast calls for a temperature of 22°C (71.6°F), with only a 10% chance of rain and humidity around 63%. However, the weather is won’t have any impact on the match because Los Angeles Stadium is a covered venue, ensuring ideal playing conditions regardless of the forecast.

The lineups from both teams suggest an end-to-end match, with the opposition goal as the main target. Canada may also have Alphonso Davies available, should the manager choose to include him to play after his injury.

South Africa are currently ranked 54th in the FIFA World Rankings, while their opponents sit 32nd. Whether that gap in ranking will be reflected on the pitch once the match gets underway remains to be seen.

Team kits for both sides

For this crucial match, which will be officiated by João Pinheiro of Portugal, South Africa will wear their traditional home kit, while Canada will be dressed entirely in their away kit.

Yellow shirt, green shorts, and yellow socks make up the African side’s kit. Its goalkeeper will be dressed entirely in orange. Canada will take the field in an all-black kit, with the exception of their goalkeeper, who will be dressed entirely in blue.

Canada and South Africa aim to make history

This will not be just another match in the history of either Canada or South Africa, as both teams are looking to secure a place in the Round of 16 for the first time in their history. If they succeed, they will face the winner of the clash between the Netherlands and Morocco.

Well aware of the high stakes, FIFA have assigned a more than capable referee to officiate the game. Joao Pinheiro will be the match official when Canada and South Africa meet in a win-or-go-home showdown in Los Angeles Stadium.

Canada know what will happen if they win, tie, or lose against South Africa. Pinheiro knows it, too, so he must stay on his toes to keep the game under control, as both teams will be desperate to win and advance in the 2026 World Cup.

What to know about Pinheiro

If there’s one thing that characterizes Pinheiro, it may well be how quickly he reaches for his cards during games. It will be something for both Canada and South Africa to keep an eye on, especially considering yellow cards aren’t wiped until the quarterfinals, meaning key players could miss crucial games due to accumulated bookings.

According to DAZN, Pinheiro, who officiates in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, has shown 890 yellow cards and 20 red cards in 191 games in Portugal’s top-flight competition. That works out to an average of more than seven yellow cards per game, which is incredibly high.

Pinheiro has officiated one game at the 2026 World Cup, Canada’s group rivals Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that game, he showed three yellow cards and one red card, once again proving his tendency to book—and even send off—players.

Pinheiro was referee on Davies’ last game

Officiating in both the Primeira Liga and the UEFA Champions League, Pinheiro has been at the helm of some crucial games over the years. Although Alphonso Davies won’t start for Canada against South Africa, the Bayern Munich player could have a full-circle moment.

Davies’ last game was the second leg of his club’s UEFA Champions League semifinal against PSG. Pinheiro was the match official for that game, meaning Davies might make his return to the pitch with the same referee.

List of match officials

Pinheiro will be assisted from the touchlines by fellow Portuguese assistant referees Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia. The fourth official will be Omar Al Ali from the United Arab Emirates. On the VAR booth, Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande will be in charge, helped by assistant Rodolpho Toski from Brazil.

• Referee: Joao Pinheiro (Portugal)
• Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus (Portugal)
• Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia (Portugal)
• Fourth Official: Omar Al Ali (United Arab Emirates)
• Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain)
• Assistant VAR: Rodolpho Toski (Brazil)

Bafana Bafana punched their ticket to the knockout stage following a dramatic, clutch victory over South Korea in their group-stage finale. It capped off an impressive resilience from the South African side, who managed to rebound and advance despite a tournament-opening loss to Mexico and a gritty draw with Czechia.

On the other side, Canada successfully capitalized on their co-host advantage to secure their spot in the dance. Backed by a historic 6-0 thrashing of Qatar, a hard-fought draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a lone setback against Switzerland, Les Rouges confidently locked up their place in the Round of 32.

With potential scenarios confirmed, both Canada and South Africa have already made history by navigating past the group stage for the first time ever, meaning the winner of this clash will secure a monumental, maiden berth in the Round of 16.

South Africa confirmed lineup

While celebrating their historic knockout berth, South Africa face a massive tactical hurdle as veteran playmaker Themba Zwane is officially ruled out due to a red-card suspension. With the rest of the roster fully healthy and available, here is how Bafana Bafana is confirmed to line up:

• Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams
• Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Aubrey Modiba
• Midfielders: Relebohile Mokofeng, Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole
• Forwards: Thapelo Maseko, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners

Canada confirmed lineup

As Canada look to keep their dream home-soil run alive, the co-hosts enter the match heavily shorthanded. Midfield anchor Ismael Kone and winger Marcelo Flores have both been ruled out due to injuries, while Alfie Jones remains highly questionable on the latest fitness report. Here is the confirmed lineup for Canada:

• Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau
• Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea
• Midfielders: Tajon Buchanan, Nathan Saliba, Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Millar
• Forwards: Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi

Ismael Kone suffered a devastating injury during Canada’s group-stage match against Qatar in Vancouver, ending his tournament in heartbreaking fashion. Undoubtedly, a tough episode for the host nation.

The injury came just as Canada were building momentum after an impressive run through the group stage. His absence is a major blow for the Canadian squad ahead of the knockout rounds.

What injury did Ismael Kone suffer in 2026 World Cup?

Ismael Kone suffered fractures to both the tibia and fibula in his left leg during the match against Qatar. The injury occurred in the 51st minute following a heavy challenge from Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo, who was immediately shown a red card. After seeing the severity of the injury, Madibo appeared visibly shocked and later expressed that he never intended to injure a fellow professional.

Will Ismael Kone play for Canada again at the 2026 World Cup?

The injury ruled Ismael Kone out for the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was immobilized on the field before being taken away on a stretcher while receiving oxygen assistance. Medical staff immediately transported him to a local hospital for further treatment. As a result, he is unavailable for Canada’s Round of 32 clash against South Africa and any potential matches beyond that.

Ismael Kone’s emotional farewell in 2026 World Cup

Despite the painful moment, Ismael Kone managed to acknowledge the Canadian supporters before leaving the field. As he was carried off the pitch, the midfielder raised his thumb to thank the fans in Vancouver for their support. It was one of the tournament’s most emotional scenes at the World Cup.

However, in his pre-match press conference, published on FIFA’s official website, the Bayern Munich player made it clear that he will return to the pitch to finish what he started alongside his teammates. What happens today against South Africa will determine Canada’s future in the competition.

“I don’t really think about it. [The injury] could have happened anywhere,” Davies said to the press. “It’s unpredictable. Now coming back to the stadium, I get to finish something I started a year ago in March.

“I really enjoy playing in this stadium because it’s beautiful. It was cut short but at the end of the day, that’s football. You don’t mean to get injured, things happen. Right now I am preparing mentally and physically for tomorrow.”

What injury did Alphonso Davies suffer?

Alphonso Davies has faced a challenging path to the 2026 World Cup due to a recurring hamstring injury suffered in May during Bayern Munich’s UEFA Champions League semifinal second-leg against Paris Saint-Germain. This issue forced the Canadian captain to miss the entirety of the tournament’s group stage, with head coach Jesse Marsch utilizing him as a tactical bench diversion while he completed his recovery.

However, after overcoming the injury, Davies has been officially declared fully fit and ready to make his tournament debut this Sunday in Canada’s high-stakes Round of 32 knockout match against South Africa, who have improved their FIFA ranking.

All or nothing for Canada

The high-stakes knockout phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins as Canada square off against South Africa in a historic Round of 32 clash at the Los Angeles Stadium. Scheduled for today at 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT local venue time), this highly anticipated match marks the first-ever World Cup knockout appearance for both nations.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the side that advances from this single-elimination battle will book a spot in the Round of 16 to face the winner of Monday’s heavyweight encounter between the Netherlands and Morocco.