(yahoo! sports)-The World Cup knockout stage has arrived.
After 17 days of group stage drama, the 2026 tournament shifts Sunday to the Round of 32, where every match is now win-or-go-home. Canada and South Africa get the spotlight to themselves in the day’s only game, meeting at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Canada is the only co-host playing its first knockout match outside its home country, but Jesse Marsch’s team is embracing the road environment. Forward Tani Oluwaseyi said Canada likes an away crowd because it adds “extra motivation” to prove opposing fans wrong.
2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One: Make your predictions for the Round of 32!
The biggest question for Canada is the status of captain Alphonso Davies, who missed the entire group stage with a hamstring injury. Marsch said Davies is fit and could provide a major physical, tactical and emotional boost.
Both teams went 1-1-1 in group play. South Africa booked its place with a dramatic 1-0 win over South Korea, and now Bafana Bafana gets a shot at a co-host with a place in the Round of 16 on the line.
The winner faces Morocco or the Netherlands on July 4 in Houston.
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