Canada advanced to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Africa on Sunday in Inglewood, California. Stephen Eustaquio secured the win for the co-host nation by scoring a volley in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, marking Canada’s first-ever knockout-stage victory in the tournament’s history.
The match was tightly contested, with both teams creating scoring opportunities but unable to break the deadlock until the final moments. Eustaquio, who plays for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, struck a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, finding the bottom corner past South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who finished the match with five saves. Despite the loss, South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos praised his team’s performance, highlighting their resilience and defensive discipline but acknowledged they lacked the necessary power and speed compared to Canada.
Following the victory, Canadian coach Jesse Marsch addressed his players with a passionate message, calling them "Canadian heroes" and emphasizing their role in inspiring future generations of Canadian soccer athletes.
Canada will face either the Netherlands or Morocco on Saturday in Houston in the round of 16. The tournament, which began with 48 teams competing in the expanded group stage, has now been narrowed to 32 teams for the knockout rounds. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
In other developments, the United States has emerged as a major betting favorite as the tournament progresses. After winning Group D, the U.S. men’s national team has seen their championship odds improve significantly, moving from 60-1 to 30-1. This surge in odds has made the U.S. team the most heavily backed side on U.S. sportsbooks, creating a substantial liability for bookmakers. Caesars head of soccer Mark Bickerdike noted that while a deep run by the U.S. would be challenging for profitability, it would boost fan engagement significantly.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s campaign ended abruptly after a group-stage exit, leading to the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo. The decision came amid sharp criticism from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who characterized the team’s performance as inadequate and called for a comprehensive review of the national soccer program. South Korea won their opening match against the Czech Republic but lost subsequent games to South Africa and Mexico, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
Looking ahead, the next round of knockout fixtures includes matches featuring top contenders such as Brazil, Germany, France, and Argentina. The 2030 World Cup is set to take place across Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, continuing the expansion and globalization of the tournament.