FIFA World Cup 2026: Live updates on Canada vs. South Africa knockout game

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Canada is playing its first-ever knockout game in a men’s FIFA World Cup today, taking on South Africa in a round-of-32 matchup in Los Angeles.

• Where to watch: Canada and South Africa face off live on TSN.ca

Here are the latest developments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times Eastern:

3 p.m.

Canada and South Africa have kicked off their round-of-32 matchup in Los Angeles.

3:00 p.m.

The atmosphere is building as Canada’s players stand shoulder-to-shoulder singing O Canada, with fans joining in from the stands.

Crowd packs Vancouver FIFA Fan Festival

People started lining up to get into the FIFA Fan Festival in Vancouver to cheer on Canada almost five hours before kickoff Sunday.

Organizers said the amphitheatre—which can hold close to 10,000 people—was virtually at capacity.

Lisa Steacy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca Journalist

2:45 p.m.

With 15 minutes to go before kickoff, Canada fans strongly outnumbered South Africa fans inside Los Angeles stadium. Red jerseys and Maple Leafs could be spotted in several sections throughout the 70,000-capactiy venue. Pockets of bright-yellow South Africa jerseys could also be seen, alongside the uniforms of many other nations, including Mexico and South Korea.

2:10 p.m.

A smattering of cheers rained down as Canada took the field for pre-game warmups. A sizable contingent of Canadian fans slowly took over the section behind the country’s goal, stretching up four different levels of the stadium.

1:40 p.m.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has tweaked his starting lineup. Defender Moïse Bombito is set to make his first start of the tournament and winger Tajon Buchanan has been moved up to the attack with strikers Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi. Strikers Cyle Larin and Promise David, and captain Alphonso Davies are all available off the bench.

1:30 p.m.

Players from both teams took the field at Los Angeles Stadium. The South Africans donned white hooded warm-up jackets and pants while the Canadians wore black hoodies or t-shirts and shorts. Many of the athletes used their phones to capture the vast stadium’s atmosphere.

1 p.m.

Fans are filtering into Los Angeles Stadium ahead of Canada’s round-of-32 game against South Africa. There were several Canada jerseys in the stands and at least one Canadian flag two hours before kickoff.

‘Making history’: Fans ready to watch Canada vs. South Africa in FIFA knockout game

Canadian soccer fans will rally behind their team today as the nation heads into its first FIFA World Cup knockout stage match, taking on South Africa in a highly anticipated showdown.

Canada will face the South Africans in Los Angeles after the latter team upset South Korea 1-0 in Mexico City on Wednesday.

Canada advanced to the knockout stage for the first time despite a 2-1 loss in Vancouver to Switzerland, which topped the group.

So far in the tournament, Canadian fans have shown vibrant support for the team, packing both BC Place and Toronto Stadium, turning streets into rivers of cheering, flag-waving supporters and spending hours outside hotels awaiting the players’ arrivals and sendoffs.

Watch parties are expected to take place across the country as fans buzz with excitement for the match.

FIFA Fan Festivals in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as community spaces in cities from coast to coast, are scheduled to broadcast the game.

The fan experience highlight so far has been Canada’s 6-0 rout of Qatar at BC Place on June 18, which followed the country’s first World Cup point with a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the June 12 opener in Toronto.

“You are watching Canadian history actually being moved in soccer, so it’s really exciting,” fan Nabi Zadeh said after the game against Switzerland.

“Canada is making history. Every game, every moment, it’s new.”

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said Thursday that he’s expecting South Africa to be a strong opponent.

“Physically in transition and around the goal, being very decisive and athletic and powerful. So those are things that we usually are equipped with, and so that will challenge our ability to manage that,” Marsch said.

The round-of-32 matchup kicks off at 3 p.m. eastern time at Los Angeles Stadium.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2026.