Canada reaches World Cup 2026 round of 16 after 1-0 win over South Africa

Canada, one of the co‑hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, earned its first ever knockout‑stage victory by defeating South Africa 1‑0 in the round‑of‑32 match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles. The winning goal came in the 92nd minute of added time, when midfielder Stephen Eustáquio struck from outside the penalty area to beat goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The victory secures Canada a place among the final sixteen teams and sets up a clash with the winner of the Netherlands‑Morocco quarter‑final, scheduled for 4 July in Houston. Coach Jesse Marsch praised his squad as “Canadian heroes” after the historic result. The match marked the first time Canada has progressed beyond the group stage in a World Cup.

The win was celebrated by Canadian fans both in the stadium and abroad, underscoring the growing profile of soccer in a nation traditionally dominated by ice hockey.