Canada Faces South Africa in Lone Round-of-32 Match as Davies Eyes Return From 3-Game Absence
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 28
Canada Faces South Africa in Lone Round-of-32 Match as Davies Eyes Return From 3-Game Absence
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 28
Summary
Canada and South Africa meet Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in Inglewood in the only Round-of-32 match of the day, with the winner advancing to a July 4 meeting with Morocco or the Netherlands.
Canada enters as a -320 favorite after a 1-1-1 group stage, but captain Alphonso Davies is the key variable after missing all 3 group matches with a hamstring injury; coach Jesse Marsch said he should be fit.
South Africa also went 1-1-1 and reached the knockout round with a 1-0 win over South Korea, while Teboho Mokoena returns from suspension and Themba Zwane remains out for one more match.
Canada will be without Ismael Kone because of a broken leg, Stephen Eustaquio is questionable, and Moise Bombito is available as the co-hosts play their knockout match away from home at SoFi Stadium.
Has the 48-team format truly elevated global football or just created a more grueling, commercially-driven tournament?
As football's legends fade, which new star like Bouaddi or Maza will steal the spotlight in the knockouts?
Does the record goal-fest signal a new era of attacking dominance or a decline in defensive prowess worldwide?
2026 FIFA World Cup Report: Inside the Historic 48-Team Knockout Stage, Surprises, and Standout Performances
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered a new era, expanding to 48 teams and a record 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. After a dramatic group stage, highlighted by Austria’s last-minute equalizer against Algeria to secure progression, the tournament now moves into the high-stakes Round of 32. This expanded format sets the stage for an unpredictable knockout phase, where both established football giants and debutant nations will compete for glory. The new structure promises more excitement and opportunities, making every match crucial as teams battle for a place in history.