LOS ANGELES: The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on Sunday with South Africa facing Canada in the opening Round of 32 fixture, as the tournament enters its elimination phase following the conclusion of the group stage.
The first knockout match will be played at Los Angeles Stadium in California, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
Canada enter the contest as favourites, having been given a 67.8 percent chance of advancing to the Round of 16 by Opta’s pre-match simulations. South Africa, however, will be looking to repeat their only previous victory over Canada, a 2-0 friendly win in Durban in 2007.
The expanded 2026 World Cup has produced a historic milestone for African football, with nine nations advancing to the Round of 32 — the highest number from the continent in a single FIFA World Cup. Algeria, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa secured qualification, while Tunisia were the only African side eliminated in the group stage.
Iran’s World Cup campaign ended after Algeria secured qualification as one of the best third-placed teams following a 3-3 draw with Austria in the final Group J fixture. Algeria finished third in the group with four points, overtaking Iran for the final knockout-stage berth.
The complete Round of 32 schedule includes Brazil against Japan, Germany versus Paraguay and the Netherlands facing Morocco on Monday.
Tuesday’s fixtures feature Ivory Coast against Norway, France versus Sweden and Mexico taking on Ecuador.
On Wednesday, England will face Democratic Republic of the Congo, Belgium meet Senegal, while hosts United States play Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Thursday’s matches include Spain versus Austria, Portugal against Croatia and Switzerland taking on Algeria.
The final Round of 32 fixtures on Friday will see Australia face Egypt, Argentina play Cape Verde and Colombia take on Ghana.
The confirmed knockout bracket has also kept alive the possibility of a World Cup final between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
With both teams placed on opposite sides of the draw, the two football icons can only meet if they each reach the final scheduled for July 19.
The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 32 teams now competing for a place in the Round of 16.