The Canadian men’s national team is seeking to keep their FIFA World Cup dreams alive and aiming for a win against South Africa Sunday afternoon.
Canada now enters uncharted territory, playing in its first FIFA World Cup elimination match and marking the furthest the lads’s team has gone in a World Cup. It’s also the primary time Canada has played outside their home country for the 2026 tournament, which is at Los Angeles Stadium.
Canada finished in second place in Group B on Wednesday afternoon following a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland, meaning that they had to play the second-place finisher from Group A.
That spot was locked up by South Africa following their 1-0 upset victory over South Korea in Wednesday night’s match.
Canada’s sits 23 spots ahead of South Africa in official FIFA rankings, which is 31 in comparison with South Africa’s 54. South Africa is in its fourth World Cup after failing to qualify for the last three.
South Africa won the one international match the 2 have played against each other in a 2-0 final in a world friendly back on Nov. 20, 2007.
Canada had the chance to complete in first place in Group B with a win or draw against Switzerland, affording the team every week off before playing again in Vancouver.
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“We just (wanted) to proceed the energy that’s taken place here in Canada,” Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch said following the match against Switzerland, admitting that he was “disillusioned” the team couldn’t get the result needed to stay in Vancouver.
Nevertheless, Marsch stated he was “proud” of the players’ response after taking place 2-0.
“I do know our team has heart. … We’re going to give attention to the positives. We’re going to give attention to the response (within the second half).”
Marsch has many choices to make for the crucial match, especially deciding on whether star defender Alphonso Davies will lace up for the all-important match. Midfielder Stephen Eustáquio also sat out Wednesday’s match as a result of muscle tightness.
With all of the firsts the Canadians are experiencing this tournament, the team is looking for to make their mark on the massive stage.
“We got past our group; that’s something that we actually wanted,” Eustáquio said following Wednesday’s match.
“Obviously desired to stay in Vancouver for one or two more games … but we still have a World Cup to play so we’re going with every thing [we have] to Los Angeles.”
The winner will advance to the Round of 16. Kickoff is about for 3 p.m., EST.
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