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World Cup 2026 Daily Guide 6/28/26: Knockout Stage kicks off with Canada-South Africa
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- World Cup 2026 Daily Guide 6/28/26: Knockout Stage kicks off with Canada-South Africa
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The World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage bracket is officially here , and we know which countries will go head-to-head in the win-or-go-home portion of the tournament. First up, we get one of the host nations, Canada, taking on South Africa. This is the first day since the tournament began that there is only one match, but it will be a dramatic one as two countries look to get their first-ever Knockout Stage win.
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Here is your World Cup 2026 Daily Guide: What to watch for on 6/28/26.
World Cup matches on 6/28/26
South Africa vs. Canada — Los Angeles, California — 3 pm ET (FOX, Telemundo)
Odds: South Africa +450, Draw +260, Canada -140
3 things to watch for on World Cup 2026 Day 18
Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Here are three things to watch for and fun facts to amaze and entertain your friends with on Day 18 of the 2026 World Cup.
History will be made
One of the interesting parts of the World Cup 2026 expansion from 32 teams to 48 is that double the number of teams now make the Knockout Stage, which will add to the history-making North American tournament. In this matchup between Canada and South Africa, it is a contest between two countries that have never made it to the knockout portion of the World Cup. So, on Sunday afternoon, one of these countries will be able to add Knockout Stage match-winner to their growing resume.
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Alphonso Davies return
Canada enters the Knockout stage with a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a win over Qatar, and a loss to Switzerland on its resume. The first and last game in that set could have gone differently if Canada had its best player available, Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies.
The Canadian left back/winger is the driving force on this Canadian team and, when healthy, initiates much of the team's offense. Without that presence in the lineup, Canada struggled to get great chances against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland. We'll see if Davies' return from injury immediately makes Canada more dangerous, or if the insertion of such a controlling player this late in the World Cup causes more problems than it solves.
Davies is available for this match, though not starting.
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A path for the hosts?
With the Knockout Stage officially set, we now know what awaits the three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the USA. So, which team can go the furthest?
After South Africa, Canada would get the Netherlands or Morocco, and if they somehow get past that, France or Germany. This means Canada's World Cup 2026 run likely ends in the Round of 16. For Mexico, it is Ecuador first, followed most likely by England, with Brazil or Norway after that. Mexico has the toughest Round of 32 opponent, so that could be it for them, but if they do get England, that should be their final game.
Finally, the USA gets Bosnia and Herzegovina first , probably followed by Belgium. The USMNT faced Belgium in the 2014 World Cup and lost in a valiant effort, 2-1. This U.S. team is better, and this Belgium team is worse, which means America has a chance. However, Spain or Portugal would follow, so the U.S.'s dreams end in the quarterfinals this time around.
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