06/28/26 18:43
Canadian fans celebrate in Vancouver after win against South Africa
Canadian fans celebrate in Vancouver after win against South Africa at World Cup.
Reuters
06/28/26 18:33
Coach Marsch calls players ‘Canadian heroes’
– Paul Attfield
Coach Jesse Marsch, centre, celebrates with his players.Marcio Sanchez/The Associated Press
In the seconds after the final whistle that signalled Canada reaching the last 16 of the World Cup, Jesse Marsch gathered his players around him, telling them all they were “Canadian heroes.”
After the 1-0 victory over South Africa thanks to Stephen Eustáquio’s winning goal in second-half stoppage time, the American-born head coach gave his players a postgame speech for the ages.
“You guys are Canadian heroes today,” he said. “Canadian heroes. Canadian heroes for the future children of this country who play this sport. This sport has a big future because of you guys. You should be so proud of who you are. You should be so proud of this game – you never lost belief, you went after it. Point after point. Moment after moment.
“You are Canadian heroes.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also called the players “True Canadian heroes” in a social media post. He was in Toronto Sunday attending the Pride Parade.
06/28/26 18:28
Mississauga fan cheers Canadians for showing up, supporting team
– Matthew Frank
Canada's defender #19 Alphonso Davies celebrates with fans after winning.ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP/Getty Images
As soccer spectators left the Toronto Fan Festival, drivers leaned on their car horns, setting off a chorus of honks down the street.
For Mississauga resident Kevin Lee, soaking up the celebrations at the Fan Festival was just as important as watching Canada win its first-ever World Cup knockout round match.
He credits Canadian star Alphonso Davies for upping the team’s tempo and driving them toward the winning goal.
Canadians across the country “showed up” and supported the team, proving the doubters wrong, Lee said.
“Honestly I’ll be happy either way if we win or lose next round,” he said. “It has already been a really good tournament for us.”
06/28/26 18:23
Winning goal prompts sigh of relief from Canadian superfan
– Matthew Frank
From left, Anthony Ferrante and Robert MartinezMatthew Frank/The Globe and Mail
Anthony Ferrante let out a sigh of relief when he watched Canada’s winning goal hit the back of the net.
He dressed in maple-leaf wrestling masks and Canadian flag capes with his friend at the Toronto Fan Festival. Ferrante has attended every match at the fan festival ground and said he’ll be there again for Saturday’s game.
He said he was cautiously optimistic throughout the match and, now that the team delivered, “it means the world.”
Even if Canada loses in the next round, Ferrante said, he’ll be satisfied with how far the team has come.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So to be here now, you just have to live in the moment,” Ferrante said.
06/28/26 18:11
For longtime fans, Canada reaching knockout stage was once unthinkable
– Om Shanbhag
Walking home along Toronto’s College Street from a pub where they watched the game, friends Nick Wakeham, Jonathan Jennings and Rajin Sidhu said they never thought they’d see Canada playing in a knockout stage.
“We all probably cheered for other countries growing up, because Canada wasn’t in the World Cup,” Wakeham said.
But Jennings said there was evidence of a change in Canadian attitudes about soccer even before the team’s recent victories.
“Around the bar, you see Canadian soccer jerseys, not Canadian hockey jerseys,” he said.
Sidhu said the final goal was almost like a one-two punch he was watching at half-speed.
“It felt like slow motion,” he said. “You’ll never forget that.”
06/28/26 17:35
South African Sport Minister pays tribute to ‘Bafana Bafana’
– Neil Davidson
Khuliso Mudau #20 of South Africa looks dejected after the team's defeat.Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
South African Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie, who predicted a 3-0 win for his country over Canada, took the 1-0 loss with grace.
“We lost with honour gents,” McKenzie wrote on X. “Thank you Bafana Bafana for reminding us that we are indeed still a great country with huge potential. I wanna thank you for the joy of the past few weeks, we saw again what is possible.”
Bafana Bafana is the nickname for the South African men’s team. It means “Young men” in the Zulu language.
06/28/26 17:27
What Canada is up against as it advances in the World Cup
– Paul Attfield
Morocco's Gessime Yassine, left, celebrates Soufiane Rahimi (9) and Bilal El Khannouss (23) after scoring their fourth goal during the match between Morocco and Haiti in Atlanta on Wednesday.Mike Stewart/The Associated Press
After making history with a victory in its first trip to the World Cup knockout stage, Canada will try to go one better next Saturday in Houston.
Fresh off the 1-0 victory over South Africa – a fellow first-timer at this stage of the tournament – Jesse Marsch’s team will now lock horns with some more well-established soccer countries, playing the winner of Monday’s match between the Netherlands and Morocco.
The Dutch, a three-time runner-up at the World Cup, and the 1988 European champion, would represent a significant hurdle, with that team having beaten Canada 4-0 in Rotterdam in Marsch’s first match in charge two years ago.
Morocco, meanwhile, made the semi-finals four years ago – the first African team to get that far at the World Cup. They are also the defending Africa Cup of Nations champions, controversially winning that tournament at home in January after being awarded a 3-0 walkover win against Senegal. Despite winning the final 1-0, Senegal was ultimately punished for walking off the field to protest a penalty at the end of regulation.
The final decision over the holder of that championship is currently being debated in various courts of arbitration.
06/28/26 17:21
Fans at U of T campus erupt after winning goal
– Om Shanbhag
Everyone at the watch party on King’s College Circle at the University of Toronto rose to their feet, cheering and waving flags, after Stephen Eustáquio’s goal.
After the game, Jay Jadeja was elated, waving the Canadian flag he had wrapped around his body.
“With [Alphonso] Davies’s comeback, this could not have been anything better,” he said.
Jadeja is confident Team Canada will win the coming round-of-16 game.
“With this team, we’re going to win this. We’re going to make it.”
06/28/26 17:19
Canada vs. South Africa, by the numbers
– Neil Davidson
Mark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Canada outshot South Africa 12-6 (7-1 in shots on target) and had a 4-1 edge in corners.
The South Africans had 58 per cent of the possession, completing 472 of 561 passes. Canada completed 315 of 402 passes.
Stephen Eustáquio’s 92nd-minute winner was his fifth goal for Canada. It came in his 60th appearance for the country.
06/28/26 17:09
Captain’s goal earns Canada a place in World Cup’s last 16
– Paul Attfield
Alex Grimm/Getty Images
It wasn’t pretty, but Canada did just enough to earn itself a place in the last 16 of the World Cup and a matchup against either Morocco or the Netherlands next Saturday in Houston.
It took a captain’s goal from Stephen Eustáquio in second-half stoppage time to separate the sides, and an ample dose of nerveless resilience in a pressure cooker of an atmosphere at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Canada had the lion’s share of the big moments, out-chancing South Africa 12-6, including a 7-1 edge in shots on goal.
While Canada had just 42 per cent of the possession, tellingly it had 28 touches in the opposition box, to just nine for South Africa, reflecting its dominance in the areas that really count.
06/28/26 17:04
Fans in Vancouver celebrate Canada’s win
– Andrea Woo
We are sooooo back, baby! Stephen Eustáquio puts Canada ahead in stoppage time. The crowd erupts in Vancouver as streamers fall and smoke shoots in the air.
06/28/26 17:03
Toronto FIFA Fan Festival goes wild
– Matthew Frank
Beers, hats and flags all went flying at the Toronto FIFA Fan Festival as Canada scored the match’s opening goal in second-half stoppage time. Fans jumped on each other’s shoulders. Strangers hugged while chanting, “Let’s go Canada.”
A plume of red smoke from a smoke grenade has covered the crowd.
It seems like people haven’t stopped jumping. All you can see is a sea of hands in the air.
06/28/26 16:58
Eustáquio scores for Canada in stoppage time, taking 1-0 lead
– Neil Davidson
Canada's Stephen Eustaquio scores his side's opening goal against South Africa during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)Gregory Bull/The Associated Press
Stephen Eustáquio has scored for Canada in stoppage time, in the 92nd minute, for a 1-0 lead.
Jacob Shaffelburg’s cross was headed away by a South African defender but the ball went straight to Eustáquio, who chested it down and then hampered a right-footed shot past South goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
It’s Canada’s 11th career goal at the tournament.
Eustáquio joins Jonathan David (three goals), Cyle Larin (two), Promise David, Nathan Saliba and Alphonso Davies (at the 2022 tournament). Canada has also benefited from two own goals (one by Qatar and one by Morocco).
06/28/26 16:47
Davies’s arrival boosts energy at Toronto FIFA Fan Festival
– Matthew Frank
The energy perked up immediately at Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival when Canadian star Alphonso Davies stepped onto the pitch.
Fans roared and started chants throughout the crowd. Even a Canadian throw-in got the fan group’s drums banging.
06/28/26 16:37
Alphonso Davies takes the pitch and almost pays immediate dividends
– Paul Attfield
FRANK GUNN/The Canadian Press
With Canada in real need of some inspiration, Jesse Marsch has decided that now is the time to unleash Alphonso Davies on the World Cup, introducing him in place of Tajon Buchanan with 15 minutes remaining in regulation.
Through the first 75 minutes, Canada has struggled to create anything of note down the left-hand side, with the right-footed Liam Millar becoming somewhat predictable on that wing in needing to check back onto his natural side to deliver anything.
Defender Derek Cornelius is the only left-footer among the 10 outfield players that started this match, so to be able to call on the skills of the Bayern Munich star for the first time adds another dimension to Canada’s attack. That’s before you factor in his world-class speed and experience gleaned in playing at the highest levels in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
TSN analyst Kevin Kilbane said at halftime that Davies would likely only be able to play for 30 or so minutes, so clearly Marsch is hoping that the wing back can be the difference for his team.
The move almost paid immediate dividends, with Davies threading a ball to Jonathan David, who set up substitute Promise David for a shot that just missed the left-hand post.
Minutes later, Davies drew a pair of defenders to create space for Stephen Eustáquio to put the ball in the penalty box.
Davies is causing problems for South Africa. And Canada has kicked it up a notch. The captain is back.
06/28/26 16:32
Sigur leads break in 63rd minute, but Williams blocks shot
– Neil Davidson
Lisi Niesner/Reuters
Canada comes close in the 63rd minute on a break led by substitute Niko Sigur.
He fed an onrushing Tani Oluwaseyi, whose shot was stopped by South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Mbekezeli Mbokazi then managed to knock the ball away before Jonathan David could stuff it in the empty goal.
It’s still 0-0 at the second-half hydration break in Los Angeles.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch sent on Promise David and Jacob Shaffelburg after the break, replacing Oluwaseyi and Liam Millar.
06/28/26 16:26
Canada’s Nathan Saliba gets yellow card for deliberate foul
– Paul Attfield
KIYOSHI MIO/Reuters
Nathan Saliba becomes the first player into the referee’s book on Sunday, picking up a yellow card for a deliberate foul on Khuliso Mudau after 54 minutes.
Luckily, all previous yellow cards were scrubbed at the end of the group stage, giving all Canadian players a clean slate heading into the knockout rounds.
Just four minutes later, Saliba was subbed off, perhaps with coach Jesse Marsch conscious of making sure he doesn’t pick up a red in a match of fine margins. He was replaced by Niko Sigur, with defender Luc de Fougerolles also coming on in place of Moïse Bombito at the same time.
06/28/26 16:23
Fans in Vancouver chanting for Alphonso Davies
– Andrea Woo
DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
The mood here at the Vancouver Fan Festival is tense after a scoreless first half in the World Cup’s first knockout match. Chants of “We want Davies!” (Coach Jesse Marsch told TSN yesterday the star captain would be available today, but he’s said a lot of things.) Boos at the no-call when Canada’s Richie Laryea was taken down in the box, boos when South Africa fans – and FIFA president Gianni Infantino – appeared on screen.
06/28/26 16:03
Canada leads in shots on goal as game reaches halfway mark
– Neil Davidson
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
What started as an even first half turned Canada’s way near the break, but still no goals in Los Angeles. The Canadians had the South Africans wobbling late in the half, threatening on set pieces.
Canada holds an 8-3 edge in shots on goal (4-1 in shots on target) and has had three corners to South Africa’s one.
Canada appealed for a penalty as the clock wound down in the first half when Richie Laryea went down in the penalty box in a collision with Khuliso Mudau. Portuguese referee João Pedro Silva Pinheiro said play on, clearly feeling the South African got a bit of the ball, and the video assistant referee agreed.
The Canadians came oh-so-close in the 44th minute off a Stephen Eustáquio corner. Defender Aubrey Modiba made a goal-line clearance of a Moïse Bombito header. And then goalkeeper Ronwen Williams topped Tajon Buchanan’s shot off the rebound.
Canada also had a fine chance in the 21st minute but Derek Cornelius, behind the defence, was unable to convert Eustáquio’s free kick.
Tani Oluwaseyi’s high shot was stopped by Williams in the 35th minute. And Oluwaseyi’s header off a Eustáquio free kick in the 41st went well over the crossbar.
The Canadians have attacked down the flanks, using their speed. But turnovers have not helped their cause.
South Africa has defended well and shown calmness in the face of the Canadian press. The South Africans have used the long ball to great effect but have nothing to show for it yet.
They are also not averse to showing a little muscle with Sphephelo Sithole bodying Nathan Saliba to the ground late in the half.
South Africa, No. 60 in the last FIFA rankings, is showing why it made it to the knockout rounds.
06/28/26 15:54
Retired fire captains take in game at Beaches smokehouse
– Kate Helmore
Ryan Fairlie and Sheldon Beard, both retired fire hall captains, are sitting on the patio at Breakwall BBQ and Smokehouse in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood, one block down from their former workplace, drinking beer and watching the game. They’re feeling confident about Canada’s odds.
“We’ve had more chances,” said Fairlie, who becomes a soccer fan during every World Cup. “It’s the biggest sporting event in the world,” he said, adding that watching the national team play is a good excuse to hang out with old friends on a Sunday afternoon.
06/28/26 15:53
Delayed action not deterring fans in Toronto’s Distillery District
– Om Shanbhag
At the Distillery District in Toronto, we’re finding out that the large screen in the square is almost 10 seconds behind TVs in surrounding bars. Perfect place to watch the game if you’re not afraid of spoilers.
“It’s been fun to see how the nation’s gotten behind this team,” said Cole Jones, wearing his 2022 Team Canada jersey signed by Richie Laryea.
Jones has played the beautiful game his whole life, even when many of his friends were playing hockey. He’s now doing a degree in sports management and working for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment this summer.
Now that the sport’s gotten more popular, he said, parents should really consider getting their kids into soccer early.
“You really only need a ball and cleats,” he said. “Stick with it.”
06/28/26 15:50
FIFA Fan Fest brings out Toronto’s entrepreneurial spirit
– Simon Houpt
Hi, I’m Simon Houpt, at the official FIFA Fan Fest in Toronto. The World Cup may be dominated by corporate sponsors, but the little guys are finding their lane, too.
A couple of hundred metres from the entrance today, a savvy merchant seemed to be doing a brisk business in Canadian flags, as well as bucket hats and scarves adorned with the maple leaf. He said he wasn’t selling them, exactly, but was happy to take tips – preferably $20 (or $15 from kids). He said he’d ordered $4,000 in inventory from China and hadn’t made back his money yet. I asked him why he wasn’t officially “selling” the merchandise and he replied, “Because I love my country, you don’t like your country?” He would not give his name.
06/28/26 15:50
Longtime FIFA fan hopes cup will spark more soccer interest in Canada
– Kate Helmore
Kyle Plunkett and Jason Rivait have been to numerous FIFA World Cup tournaments, including the Canada game in Vancouver a few weeks ago. Today they’re eating quesadillas at the Stone Lion in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood.
“I think we’re going to win. I think we’re going to prevail today,” said Plunkett, who used to play football.
But even if Canada goes home, it’ll still be one of Plunkett’s favourite World Cups. He has always closely watched the tournament. He went to Germany for the 2006 games. He went to a World Cup in the 1990s. The Canadian presence this year – as a national team and host country – made it special.
“There’s a sense of pride,” he said. “You feel a sense of ownership.”
He is excited to see whether the tournament will drive more interest in the sport across the country. “I think soccer is going to explode.”
06/28/26 15:26
At first-half hydration break, match remains largely even
– Paul Attfield
Manu Fernandez/The Associated Press
As we reach the first-half hydration break, it’s been a largely even contest between Canada and South Africa.
The African team has had a bigger share of possession with 65 per cent, but has still only the one shot – Teboho Mokoena’s sixth-minute effort – to show for it.
The biggest opportunity fell to Derek Cornelius, but the centre back failed to get a good connection on Stephen Eustáquio’s free kick after 22 minutes, and his header only directed it toward South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Jonathan David had a decent chance too, but could only volley wide from Eustáquio’s 17th-minute corner.
It’s telling too that South Africa seems more than able to deal with Canada’s press, happily playing around and through the likes of David and Tani Oluwaseyi. South Africa is also content to go long, playing 10 accurate long balls to just three from Jesse Marsch’s team.
06/28/26 15:15
Atmosphere slightly tenser than usual in Toronto’s Beaches district
– Kate Helmore
I’m Kate, the agriculture and food policy reporter for The Globe and Mail. Today I’ll be reporting on fan reaction to the Canada game from Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood.
On a 25-degree afternoon, soccer fans have descended on the patio-lined section of Queen Street East to take in the game between Canada and South Africa, and hopefully catch some of the breeze coming off Lake Ontario, located one block south.
The atmosphere here is slightly more tense than usual for a Sunday afternoon in June. This is the knockout round of the World Cup, and the first time Canada has gotten this far. If they lose today, they’ll be out of the tournament.
“I’m hoping for a win,” said Luke Desmarais, sitting on the patio at the Stone Lion. But even reaching this point is an accomplishment, he added. Before this year, Canada had only scored one goal in a World Cup.
“I’m just happy we made it this far,” said Sam Forrest, who sat next to Mr. Desmarais wearing a Hockey Canada jersey. “It’s all gravy at this point.”
06/28/26 15:15
South Africa off to confident start
– Neil Davidson
JESSIE ALCHEH/Reuters
A confident start from South Africa, which has absorbed Canada’s press and managed to move the ball up field.
Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau has already been called into action, parrying a shot by Teboho Mokoena in the sixth minute.
At the other end, Canadians Liam Millar and Richie Laryea have proved to be a speedy threat. But a Stephen Eustáquio corner in the 10th minute went nowhere.
06/28/26 15:04
South Africa fan in Vancouver admits to divided loyalties
– Andrea Woo
Mickey GoldsteinAndrea Woo/The Globe and Mail
I found a South Africa supporter in the crowd here at the Vancouver fan festival! Mickey Goldstein, born and raised in South Africa and now living in Canada, said she caught her team’s unexpected win against South Korea at a pub in the city’s Granville Street entertainment district on Wednesday, and called it an exciting moment.
But she divides her allegiances between the two countries.
“I’d be just as happy if Canada won,” she said.
06/28/26 15:03
Today’s anthem comparison
– Cathal Kelly
Lisi Niesner/Reuters
The South African anthem: This one always gets me in the feels. It reminds me wonderfully of the World Cup in that country, and of Nelson Mandela being driven around the field before the final. Like Marilyn Monroe said, you’ve never heard such cheering. A nice version of that here, though too few South Africans on hand to really carry it. 7/10
O Canada: There are a lot of people here in what I would call Hollywood Canadian cosplay – faces painted red, wearing flags as capes, cowboy hats. It’s like what we do back home, but MORE. Somehow, they make more of an impression than the fans back home because they make up only a portion of the crowd. A fine job of singing along to the soundtrack – which you may already know my feelings about. 8/10
The X factor: A lot of people in Mexico jerseys here. They will tip the rooting balance in this match. It’s not yet clear which benign global neighbour they will side with.
06/28/26 15:02
Good vibes, sunshine back in full force in Vancouver
– Andrea Woo
Andrea Woo/Supplied
Hello and happy match day! It’s Andrea Woo at the Vancouver fan festival at the PNE fairgrounds. It’s a few minutes until kickoff and it’s packed in the new amphitheatre here, with long lineups zigzagging outside.
It feels like there had been a lull in energy in the city after Team Canada’s loss to Switzerland on Wednesday – it even clouded over and started raining, breaking an unusually hot and sunny streak we had all tournament – but both the good vibes and sunshine are very much back right now.
06/28/26 15:00
Fans gather in Toronto’s Distillery District to cheer on Canada
– Om Shanbhag
Om Shanbhag/Supplied
Hello! My name is Om and I’m a staff reporter at The Globe. You’ll usually find me working on stories across Canada, and today I’ll be covering the atmosphere in Toronto during the knockout match between Canada and South Africa.
My train into the city was packed with people wearing various Team Canada merchandise, along with others dressed for Toronto’s Pride parade and a Jays game this afternoon. It’s going to be a bustling afternoon for almost everyone.
Currently, I’m in the Distillery District, where people are gathering in a small square and preparing to watch the game on red and white inflatable couches. Patios surrounding the square are filling up, and space is quickly becoming a hot commodity.
06/28/26 14:57
There is confidence in the South Africa camp and back home
– Neil Davidson
Players of South Africa prepare to walk out to warm up.Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
The Star, a daily newspaper out of Johannesburg, previews today’s match against Canada this way:
“Canada, backed by home support in Los Angeles, are expected to press aggressively, but Bafana will once again rely on compact structure and quick transitions as they attempt to continue their historic World Cup journey. The Canadians will bring plenty of Major League Soccer-fueled athleticism, but Bafana’s immense tactical discipline against South Korea showed they can withstand sustained pressure before striking like a viper. If (Thapelo) Maseko, Tshepang Moremi, and Relebohile Mofokeng can duplicate their Monterrey masterclass, a spot in the last 16 is well within reach.”
Maseko scored the decisive goal Wednesday at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico as South Africa upset South Korea 1-0 to book its place in the round-of-32.
The South African team’s nickname is Bafana Bafana. Taken from the Zulu language, it translates as “Young men.”
06/28/26 14:55
Alphonso Davies’s involvement today still unclear
– Cathal Kelly
Canada's Alphonso Davies warms up.FRANK GUNN/The Canadian Press
It’s still not clear whether Alphonso Davies will feature in today’s game. The coach says he’s ready to go, but he’s said a version of that before.
Davies was more involved in the warm-ups. For the previous three games, he has warmed up by himself with a staffer. On Saturday, he played rondos with teammates. Not a particularly vigorous game of rondos, but rondos nonetheless.
He won’t start, though no one expected that. If anything, he would be a late substitute.
However, many still wonder whether he’s actually fit to play, or this is the next phase of coach Jesse Marsch’s World Cup disinformation campaign.
06/28/26 14:36
A good omen: Canada comes out in all-black uniforms
– Paul Attfield
Canada's Dayne St. Clair during warm up.JESSIE ALCHEH/Reuters
If anyone is looking for positive omens ahead of today’s match, Canada’s all-black uniforms certainly provide them.
The team has experienced some of its best moments in recent years wearing the black jerseys. Here are a few memorable matches when the men in black came to play:
Battle of the Iceteca – Powered by two goals from Cyle Larin in freezing conditions at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, Canada beat regional power Mexico in November, 2021, and took a big step toward qualifying for Qatar, its first men’s World Cup in 36 years.
Hamilton high – Again thriving in frigid conditions, Canada wore black in beating the United States 2-0 in Hamilton in January, 2022, solidifying its spot atop the qualification standings on its way to Qatar.
First goal – In Qatar, Canada again wore black as Alphonso Davies headed home Canada’s first-ever goal at a men’s World Cup, briefly putting Canada in front in what ended up being a 4-1 loss to Croatia.
The joy of six – Black was again on the menu as Canada grabbed its first win at a men’s World Cup, putting six past Qatar 10 days ago in a rout powered by a hat trick by Jonathan David that all but secured the team’s place in the knockout rounds at this tournament.
06/28/26 14:20
Drake bets on Canada
– Neil Davidson
Drake is betting big on Canada to win today. The Toronto hip-hop star posted a photo on his Instagram account showing a bet of $770,000 on Canada, which would return $1,001,000.
That may not be a good thing, given that Drake’s betting history is checkered at best. There’s even a website about it – TheDrakeCurse.com
06/28/26 14:18
Shuffling the starting lineup
– Paul Attfield and Neil Davidson
Jayden Nelson and Moïse Bombito arrive at the stadium before the match.JESSIE ALCHEH/Reuters
Hi there, I’m Paul Attfield and I’ll be watching Canada’s first-ever World Cup knockout match from in front of my TV here in Toronto.
And my name is Neil Davidson and I’m a sportswriter for The Globe. This game has been 40 years in the making, dating back to Canada’s debut at the men’s soccer showcase in 1986.
With a place in the last 16 at stake, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has shuffled his starting lineup. He’s gone for experience in the back line, dropping 20-year-old Luc de Fougerolles in favour of 26-year-old Moïse Bombito, who has been working his way back from a broken leg and makes his first start at this tournament.
Up front, Tani Oluwaseyi also gets another start – his first since the opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina – as he’s preferred to two-goal man Cyle Larin to partner Jonathan David.
Stephen Eustáquio and Liam Millar also return, in place of Mathieu Choinière and Ali Ahmed respectively, with Eustáquio back as captain, and taking his place in the midfield alongside Nathan Saliba.
Still no sign of Alphonso Davies, so it remains to be seen if the Bayern Munich star will get his first minutes at this World Cup in this pivotal match, which has to be settled on the day, whether it takes extra time and/or a penalty shootout. Either way, it’s all hands on deck.
06/28/26 13:18
How has South Africa done in this World Cup?
– Sarah Wallace
South Africa's Thapelo Maseko (12) celebrates after scoring his side's first goal in a match against South Korea on Wednesday.Moises Castillo/The Associated Press
South Africa’s World Cup thus far has looked very similar to Canada’s: A win, a loss and a draw, finishing second in the group and qualifying for its first-ever knockout stage.
But the 60th-ranked team has arguably faced a more difficult route to get here. It lost 2-0 to hometown heroes Mexico, who went into the tournament ranked 14th; tied 40th-ranked Czechia 1-1; and upset 25th-ranked South Korea 1-0. Canada, ranked 30th, beat 56th-ranked Qatar, tied 64th-ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina and lost to 19th-ranked Switzerland.
06/28/26 13:15
Your Golden Boot leaders after the group stage
– Sarah Wallace
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina.David Ramos/Getty Images
The race has heated up for the Golden Boot after the group stages, but one man still reigns supreme: Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Despite not starting against Jordan, Messi remains atop the Golden Boot race, awarded to the top goal scorer of the tournament. His late goal against Jordan yesterday makes him the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup games.
France’s Ousmane Dembele has brought himself into contention after scoring a first-half hat trick against Norway on Friday - the first since the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Here’s the leader board going into the knockout stages:
- Argentina’s Lionel Messi (Six goals, no assists)
- France’s Kylian Mbappe (Four goals, two assists)
- France’s Ousmane Dembele (Four goals, one assist)
- Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (Four goals, one assist)
- Norway’s Erling Haaland (Four goals, no assists)
06/28/26 13:09
What’s the difference between the knockout rounds and the group stage?
– Sarah Wallace
Now that the dust of the group stage has settled, only 32 teams remain.
There are no more draws. If a game is tied after regulation, 30 minutes of extra time will be played, split into two 15-minute halves. Added time is also included in the 30 minutes.
If the score is still tied after extra time, there will be a penalty shootout. Penalties are best-of-five, with teams alternating shots. If it’s still tied after a best-of-five, then teams go to do-or-die penalty kicks: The winner will be determined when one team scores and the other team doesn’t. Argentina won the last World Cup, against France, in a penalty shootout.
All yellow cards accumulated in the group stage have also been erased. A yellow card clean slate will also take effect in the quarter-finals.
06/28/26 13:00
SoFi Stadium brings up some bitter memories in Canadians
– Cathal Kelly
Canada's Niko Sigur reacts after his team lost against Mexico in a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal match in March, 2025 at SoFi.Etienne Laurent/The Associated Press
Hi, I’m Cathal Kelly, a sports columnist at The Globe and Mail. I’m here in Inglewood, Calif., for today’s Round of 32 elimination game between Canada and South Africa.
Hours before kickoff they were already lining up outside SoFi Stadium here. The lovely thing is that the vast majority of those early-arriving fans were wearing Mexico colours. Proposed chant: ‘CUSMA! CUSMA! CUSMA!’
This stadium is one of the few you could describe as awe-inspiring. More underground than above, it’s like a spaceship that has crashed into a parking lot. An incredibly expensive spaceship.
If you’ve got nothing to do until game time, John Seabrook wrote a fabulous piece about it in The New Yorker.
The Canadian team is very familiar with SoFi - and not in a good way. This is where they played in the CONCACAF Nations League in March, 2025, and lost in the semis.
More memorably, Alphonso Davies played hurt, did himself a real mischief in the meaningless third-place game and subsequently required surgery. Through a combo of injuries and awkward scheduling, he hasn’t played for the Canadian team since.
We are led to believe that he will play today against South Africa.
Regardless, most people seem to believe this will be a walkover for Canada. I’m not so sure. The knockout rounds of a tournament this big do weird things to teams, good and bad. I suspect this will be a very tight game, with both teams seeking to avoid errors rather than do anything too ambitious.
06/28/26 13:00
Capturing the vibe in Toronto
– Matthew Frank
Hi, I’m Matthew Frank, a national reporter for The Globe and Mail. I’ll be bouncing between Toronto bars and parks during today’s match, capturing fans’ near-miss groans and goal-scoring celebrations. My first stop, besides grabbing some sunscreen, is a watch party at the University of Toronto. Stay tuned.
06/28/26 13:00
Tallying up Team Canada’s injured players
– David Ebner
Canada continues to wait on Alphonso Davies, who is yet to see the field for his nation in this World Cup, due to recovery from a recent hamstring injury.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
This is not, and hasn’t been, a squad at full strength. Injured captain Alphonso Davies of course, but there’s also top defender, Moïse Bombito, who played only in the easygoing second half against Qatar. And the absence of keystone midfielder Ismaël Koné showed against Switzerland, especially in getting the ball up the pitch to drive the attack.
Among other player question marks before today’s match is midfielder Stephen Eustáquio. He played most of the Bosnia game and all of the Qatar game. Didn’t start again the Swiss and came on in the 58th minute and looked pretty good.
Canada does not have “all of our weapons at our disposal,” Marsch said. The team is closer to full health.
The tournament clock, however, becomes inexorable, and now there is no margin for missteps.
06/28/26 13:00
Five things Canada needs to focus on against South Africa
– David Ebner
Canada's Luc de Fougerolles in action with Switzerland's Breel Embolo (right) in the match on Wednesday.Lee Smith/Reuters
Canada and South Africa are both in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time. Canada ranks 30th in FIFA’s tally of teams; South Africa is 60th. Stalwart Canadian defender Alistair Johnston on Thursday foresaw a “track meet” against South Africa.
The winner plays either Netherlands (FIFA-ranked eighth) or Morocco (seventh) on July 4 in Houston.
Here are five things Canada needs to get from L.A. to Houston.
06/28/26 13:00
Meet the Toronto bladesmith who helped arm Canada for the last World Cup
– Neil Davidson
Bladesmith Steve Karakostas applies oil to a sword inside his workshop in Toronto, Ont., earlier this month.Arlyn McAdorey/The Globe and Mail
Steve Karakostas made the ceremonial sword that the Canadian players plunged into the pitch the day before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He started making blades in 2012 as a hobby and began selling his works in 2016.
“I just really liked swords,” he explained. “And I thought to myself, ‘I can make something.’ And then I spent a small fortune on equipment. And then I just slowly, slowly started making things. And eventually I got good at it.”
It was a timely career change, given his original custom painting business dried up after the pandemic.
Read more about the unlikely part of Team Canada’s journey.
06/28/26 13:00
How a sword helped shape the identity of Canada’s World Cup squad
– Neil Davidson
Canada's Nathan Saliba holds up the jersey of injured teammate Ismaël Koné after scoring his side's fourth goal during last week's 6-0 World Cup win over Qatar in Vancouver.Abbie Parr/The Associated Press
When Nathan Saliba held up Ismaël Koné’s jersey to honour his fallen teammate after scoring in Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar last week, the message was loud and clear.
The brotherhood is strong.
Former Canada coach John Herdman knew the power of such symbols. And he used that knowledge to build that brotherhood en route to the 2022 World Cup.
Looking to boost the Canadian men’s arsenal, Herdman armed them in qualifying. Literally, with a bespoke sword.
Herdman wanted his players to have the licence to attack, whether it be the opposing team or “individuals in our own organization that were pandering to other organizations to allow their careers to flourish.”
The sword came with a ceremony at the stadium the day before each game. The plan was, with players and staff surrounding him, the captain or acting captain would say a few words and then plunge the sword into the turf to denote “tomorrow this turf is ours.”
06/28/26 13:00
How to watch the game in Canada
- Moira Wyton
Fans at Vancouver's Granville Island watch Canada's historic win over Qatar last week.JUSTINE BEAULIEU-POUDRIER/The Globe and Mail
You can watch all 104 matches on television on TSN, or subscribe to stream them on TSN.ca or the TSN+ app. Check your cable package to see if you have TSN included, and find the full broadcast schedule here.
Thirty matches will be available to watch on CTV or to stream through the CTV channel via the Crave app.
And The Globe and Mail will have live coverage of all Team Canada matches, as well as news and analysis throughout the tournament, which you can find here.