Thrilling Start to Knockout Stage of 2026 World Cup
The round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup is underway, signaling the start of the knockout stage. The match between Canada and South Africa at SoFi Stadium initiated this phase, where only the winner moves forward. Today’s victor will secure a spot in the round of 16 in Houston against the winner of the match between the Netherlands and Morocco.
Early Attempts and Shots
During the first 15 minutes, the tempo picked up as Canada’s offense began to find its rhythm. A corner kick led to Jonathan David having a chance, only for his right-footed shot to miss the goal. South Africa registered the first shot on target, with Teboho Mokoena testing Maxime Crépeau, but the shot was easily saved.
Evaluating Canada’s Attack
Canada has proven to be an attacking force in the tournament. They tied with France and Germany for the most on-target attempts during the group stage with 22. In overall attempts, they recorded 59, standing third alongside Colombia. Only Belgium and Turkey surpassed them with 73 and 70 attempts respectively. Canada ranked second in expected goals, but their conversion rate of 14% placed them 17th. This team poses a consistent threat to opposing defenses.
Key Player: Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies plays a pivotal role in Canada’s lineup. Known primarily for their hockey prowess, Canada showcases a competitive soccer squad made stronger by Davies, one of the top defenders globally. His journey began with Vancouver Whitecaps, marking him as the first millennial to play in an MLS game. In 2019, he moved to Bayern Munich for a then-record transfer fee, contributing to a Champions League win the following year.
South Africa’s Ambition
South Africa, under coach Hugo Broos, celebrated reaching the knockout stage for the first time with a victory over South Korea. Despite their success thus far, the team aims for deeper progress against Canada.
Player Health and Team Lineups
Canada welcomes back captain Alphonso Davies, recovered from his recent hamstring injury. Coach Jesse Marsch highlights this as a significant boost. Both teams are set and prepared as the match unfolds.
Teams in the Knockout Round
The expanded tournament format sees most teams making it to the knockout stages, with the top two from each of 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams proceeding.
Farewell to Guillermo Ochoa
Mexico witnessed an emotional farewell for goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. In his sixth World Cup, Ochoa’s career reached a poignant conclusion as he was honored at Estadio Azteca.