South Africa’s first-ever World Cup knockout run is over. They lost 1-0 to Canada in the Round of 32 on 28 June at the Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, beaten by a stoppage-time goal.
This guide recaps how South Africa’s 2026 World Cup ended, and the group-stage run that made history by taking them into the knockouts for the first time.
South Africa’s Round of 32 result
Canada edged a tight tie with a late winner from Stephen Eustaquio in second-half stoppage time, ending South Africa’s tournament in the first knockout round.
| Fixture | Date & venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Canada vs South Africa (Round of 32) | Sun 28 Jun — Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood | 0–1 (L) |
Canada went on to reach the Round of 16, where they were beaten by Morocco.
How South Africa reached the knockouts
South Africa finished second in Group A behind hosts Mexico, qualifying for the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history.
They opened with a 2–0 loss to Mexico, then drew 1–1 with Czechia.
Bafana Bafana sealed their place with a 1–0 win over the Republic of Korea, Thapelo Maseko scoring on 63 minutes. That result lifted them above South Korea into the runner-up spot.
| Fixture | Date & venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa | Thu 11 Jun — Mexico City | 0–2 (L) |
| Czechia vs South Africa | Thu 18 Jun — Atlanta | 1–1 (D) |
| South Africa vs Republic of Korea | Wed 24 Jun — Monterrey | 1–0 (W) |
Following the rest of the World Cup
South Africa’s tie was played in Inglewood, in the Los Angeles metro, at the venue FIFA brands as the Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), a few miles from Los Angeles International (LAX).
For the rest of the tournament, you can compare flights to Los Angeles and browse hotels in Los Angeles. Track live flight status any time on the Wego flight tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are South Africa still in the World Cup?
No. South Africa were knocked out in the Round of 32, losing 1-0 to Canada on 28 June. It was still their best-ever World Cup, as their first knockout appearance.
Who knocked South Africa out?
Canada. They won the Round of 32 tie 1-0 at the Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) with a stoppage-time goal from Stephen Eustaquio.
How far did South Africa go at the 2026 World Cup?
The Round of 32. Finishing second in Group A to reach the knockouts was the furthest South Africa have ever gone at a World Cup.
Sources
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 Game Schedule and Fixtures
- Olympics.com — FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 bracket and full schedule
- TSN — Canada will play South Africa in Round of 32 at 3pm ET on Sunday
- Olympics.com — South Africa at FIFA World Cup 2026: results, scores and standings
- ESPN — South Africa 1-0 South Korea
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
