Canada will take on South Africa on Sunday in the 32-match first round of the FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in California.
The North American nation opened its campaign by sharing points with Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a 6-0 win over Asian Cup champions Qatar before falling short against Switzerland in the final Group B match.
Jesse Marsch’s men finished the group stage in second place with four points, behind group leaders Switzerland.
Has Canada competed in the FIFA World Cup knockouts before?
No, this round of 32 matches marks Canada’s first appearance in a knockout match.
The Reds have competed in two previous World Cups, debuting in Mexico in 1986 before returning for the 2022 edition in Qatar after a 36-year wait.
In both editions, Canada exited the tournament early and was eliminated in the group stage.
Published on June 29, 2026
