2026 World Cup - Round of 16: history of South Africa vs Canada encounters

28.06.26 FT World Cup

South Africa

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Canada

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South Africa caused a sensation by defeating South Korea 1-0 in the late hours of Wednesday into Thursday—a victory that secured their qualification for the Round of 16 of the World Cup.

The Bafana Bafana clinched the win thanks to a strike from Thapelo Maseko (63’) and finished second in Group A with 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss), behind Mexico (9 pts) and ahead of South Korea (3 pts) and Czechia (1 pt).

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Hugo Broos’ men will face Canada, who also finished second in Group B with 4 points, trailing Switzerland (7 points) and edging Bosnia and Herzegovina on goal difference (5 to -1).

Before this Round of 16 clash set for Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. GMT at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California (USA), these two sides have only met once before.

That encounter was a friendly played on November 20, 2007, with the South Africans prevailing 2-0. Teko Modise scored both goals (39’, 44’).

South Africa, playing in their fourth World Cup, has reached the knockout stage for the first time after three previous group stage eliminations.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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