Against all odds, Bafana Bafana claimed a piece of history as they clinched a 1-0 win over South Korea in their final World Cup Group A match in Monterrey to kick off wild celebrations for all South Africans.
Thanks to Thapelo Maseko’s brilliant 63rd-minute winner, Bafana Bafana have officially advanced to the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
Finishing second in Group A with fiour points (behind group-winners Mexico), Hugo Broos’ men now enter unchartered territory, and here is what awaits them in the Round of 32:
Bafana Bafana will next be in action on Sunday, 28 June at 21:00 (SA time) when they face Canada at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Suitable kick off time for Bafana Bafana fans in SA
Whereas the game against South Korea kicked off at 03:00 in South Africa in the early hours of Thursday morning, sports fans in South Africa will be thrilled that they can look forward to ending the weekend with this iconic knockout fixture between Bafana Bafana and Canada.
Canada qualified as one of the top teams from their respective group, and the co-hosts boast an athletic, high-tempo squad heavily reliant on modern transition play and elite pace.
Bafana Bafana are riding a wave of momentum and will hope to be able to create another unforgettable moment, but they will be aware that Canada are ranked 30th in the World Rankings, more than 30 spots ahead of Bafana Bafana in 60th.
The Stakes
It is pure knockout football—win and advance to the Round of 16, or pack up and head home.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Kick off time: 21:00 SAST (Local US time: 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT)
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) — Inglewood, California, USA
