The group stage is behind us — the final group day has settled everything, and today, June 28, the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule in Kyiv time opens a new chapter: the Round of 32. The only match of the evening window — South Africa vs Canada — kicks off at 22:00 Kyiv time at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. This is the first knockout match in the history of the expanded 48-team Mundial, and the stakes are already at their highest: the winner advances, the loser goes home.
Today's schedule
- 22:00 Kyiv time. South Africa — Canada (Round of 32, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles)
The next Round of 32 matches begin on June 29 and fall outside the night window (kick-offs after 08:00 Kyiv time): Brazil — Japan (20:00), Germany — Paraguay (23:30), Netherlands — Morocco (04:00 on June 30).
South Africa — Canada: what's at stake
Both teams reached the Round of 32 through Group A, but by different routes. Canada finished second in Group B with seven points after a win over Qatar (6:0) and a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. South Africa are the real sensation: Bafana Bafana finished second in Group A, edging out South Korea in the final round thanks to Tapelo Maseko's goal in the 63rd minute. For South Africa, this is their first-ever appearance in a World Cup knockout round. The winner will face the winner of the Netherlands — Morocco tie in the Round of 16.
Form and personnel
Canada had an uneven group stage: a crushing win over Qatar (6:0) contrasts with a draw against Bosnia and a defeat to Switzerland (1:3). Jesse Marsch's coaching staff expects a return to a more solid defensive display after the goals conceded in the group finale. South Africa, on the other hand, built momentum gradually — a draw with Mexico, a draw with Czech Republic, and a decisive win over Korea. No official injury or suspension news has emerged ahead of the match; line-ups are expected closer to kick-off.
Players to watch
For Canada — Alphonso Davies on the left flank and Jonathan David up front, who has already found the net at the tournament. For South Africa — the attacking energy of Percy Tau and the reliability of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was a key figure in the team's sensational group-stage exit. The match in Los Angeles promises to be an open affair: both sides play attacking football and have nothing to lose.
What's next: matches on June 29 in Kyiv time
Tomorrow the Mundial's night window will be far busier. Brazil — Japan (NRG Stadium, Houston) kicks off at 20:00 Kyiv time — the Group C winners against the Group F runners-up. Germany — Paraguay (Gillette Stadium, Foxboro) — at 23:30 Kyiv time. And the headline match of the night — Netherlands — Morocco (Estadio BBVA, Monterrey) — at 04:00 Kyiv time on June 30: two teams level on seven points after the group stage, and the form of both sides is impressive. The Netherlands scored 10 goals in three group matches, while Morocco kept pace against Brazil themselves.
Read the match report for South Africa — Canada in the evening digest on Night Mundial, and a full review of all June 29 matches in tomorrow morning's edition at 08:00 Kyiv time.
Photo: Yahoo Sports Staff · Editorial (source)
