INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Canada's men's national team faces South Africa in a World Cup Round of 32 match on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, the biggest game in the program's history. As the only contest on the tournament schedule, global attention will be fixed on the Canadian squad.
Canada's Path to the Knockout Stage
After advancing from Group B with a historic first World Cup win—a 6-0 thrashing of Qatar—and a draw against Switzerland, Canada enters elimination play for the first time. The team finished second in the group behind Switzerland, who beat Canada 2-1 in the final group match. Canada also earned its first-ever World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland earlier in the tournament.
Coach Jesse Marsch's squad will have captain Alphonso Davies back in the lineup after he missed time due to injury. Davies returned to training and is expected to start. “We are very clear on the qualities that (South Africa) have, we are very clear on what to expect,” Marsch said. “And it’s also a moment for us where we want to be at our best. We’ve talked a lot about getting stronger as the tournament goes on and now that we have Alphonso back and healthy, it’s a big moment for the team.”
South Africa: A Gift Opponent?
South Africa, ranked 54th in FIFA's world rankings, is the lowest-ranked team remaining in the tournament. Canada sits at 31st. The Bafana Bafana advanced from Group D by upsetting South Korea and drawing with Czechia, despite a 2-0 loss to Mexico. Coach Hugo Broos has instilled confidence in his squad. “It doesn’t mean we are happy and we just play the game tomorrow and go home,” Broos said. “Once you are there, you want more. If we can show the same mentality and same level we did against South Korea, we have a chance to win it. When I came here, whenever anybody talked about Bafana Bafana, it was a joke. I’m very proud of what we’ve done.”
Canada is heavily favored by bookmakers, but Marsch warned against complacency. The team struggled with finishing in group play, scoring only one goal in its first two matches before the six-goal outburst against Qatar. Sloppy play against Switzerland cost them the group lead.
Expert Analysis
TSN analyst Steven Caldwell said, “A decent opponent that they could beat and should beat. Their attitude is going to be the most important thing. Canada has to play their game to make it a style that suits them. (If they do) they should have no problems.” Kevin Kilbane added, “Canada’s players are better man for man and the depth in the squad is better than South Africa.” Former Canadian captain Atiba Hutchinson urged professionalism: “They have to be extremely professional. It’s a game they believe they should get a good result. Now just ramp it up.”
Match Details and Stakes
The match kicks off at noon Pacific time at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the third-largest venue in the tournament and home to the NFL's Rams and Chargers. The winner advances to the Round of 16 on July 7 against the winner of Morocco vs. Netherlands, a much tougher assignment. For Canada, a win would mark the deepest run in men's national team history and solidify the progress made under Marsch. The country's previous best was a group-stage exit in 1986 and 2022.
