The first round-of-32 match at the 2026 World Cup has been confirmed, with South Africa and Canada scheduled to meet at the start of the knockout stage in the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams.
The South Africa–Canada match will take place on Sunday, 28 June 2026, opening the round-of-32 fixtures and kicking off at 11 p.m. UAE time.
South Africa secured their place in the knockout round after finishing second in Group 1 with 4 points, behind group leaders Mexico.
South Africa began their World Cup campaign with a 2–0 defeat to Mexico, before drawing 1–1 with the Czech Republic, then claiming a crucial 1–0 victory over South Korea in the final matchday to seal their progression to the round of 32.
Canada advanced to the same stage after finishing second in Group 2 with 4 points, following a campaign that began with a 1–1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then a commanding 6–0 win over Qatar, before a 2–1 defeat to Switzerland in the final group-stage match.
The match carries special significance for Canada as one of the host nations of the current World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, while South Africa look to continue their run after clearing the group stage.
The knockout phase begins from the round of 32 for the first time in World Cup history, following the expansion of the 2026 tournament to 48 teams, with the winner of the South Africa–Canada tie advancing to the round of 16.