Kathmandu, June 29: Canada booked their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa in the opening knockout match on Saturday.
The match, played at Los Angeles Stadium in the United States, appeared destined for extra time before Stephen Eustáquio struck deep into second-half stoppage time to hand Canada a historic victory.
The late winner not only sealed Canada’s progression but also marked a significant milestone in the nation’s football history. Competing in the FIFA World Cup for just the third time, Canada have reached the Round of 16 for the first time ever. In their previous World Cup appearances, they had failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Canada qualified for the knockout rounds as runners-up in Group B, while South Africa advanced after finishing second in Group A.
Canada will now face the winner of the Round of 32 clash between the Netherlands and Morocco for a place in the quarter-finals.
