SOUTH AFRICA VS. CANADA
Sunday, June 28
12:00 p.m. PT
SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium)
FIFA World Cup - Round of 32
Watch: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock
Canada and South Africa will be playing in the knockout stage of a men's World Cup for the first time in their respective histories. Sunday’s winner moves on to face the winner of Monday’s Netherlands-Morocco match in a Round of 16 matchup scheduled for July 4 in Houston.
Tournament co-host Canada - featuring three LAFC players, Jacob Shaffelburg, Mathieu Choinière, and Stephen Eustáquio - enters the match after finishing second in Group B.
South Africa surprised the tournament by securing their Round-of-32 spot with a 1-0 win over South Korea to finish second in Group A.
Canada scored eight goals in their three group-stage matches, including six versus Qatar. Their 2-1 loss to Switzerland cost Canada the top spot in the group, but the Canadian attack, led by striker Jonathan David, has proven itself World Cup worthy. Canada will miss midfielder Ismaël Koné, who suffered a tournament-ending injury against Qatar. LAFC midfielder Choinière could be called upon to help fill Koné’s role.
LAFC midfielder Eustáquio has started two of Canada’s three matches thus far, playing 212 minutes and leading the team in passes (168) and touches (218).
Shaffelburg nearly became the third player in Black & Gold history to score a World Cup goal while under contract with LAFC, but his acrobatic finish against Qatar was ruled an own goal after video review. “Shaff” made an impact off the bench in all three of Canada’s group-stage matches, playing 75 total minutes.
Canada superstar Alphonso Davies has yet to make his debut at this year's World Cup. The Bayern Munich fullback has returned from injury and was expected to play against Switzerland; after that match Canada manager Jesse Marsch said, "I think Alphonso Davies will be ready to go next game.”
Former LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who helped the Black & Gold to the 2022 MLS Cup title, is expected to make his fourth start in goal for Canada in this tournament.
REMAINING WORLD CUP MATCHES AT SOFI STADIUM
Round of 32:
Sun. June 28 – South Africa vs. Canada
Thu. July 2 – Spain vs. TBD
Quarterfinals:
Fri. July 10 – [Teams TBD]
LAFC will be back in action on Friday, July 17, when the Black & Gold travels to Carson to face the Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. PT. All MLS matches are broadcast on Apple TV.
