DID Press: The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opened with a narrow 1–0 victory for Canada over South Africa, sending the co-hosts into the round of 16 for the first time in their history.
Canada struggled to break through a disciplined South African side until stoppage time, when Stephen Eustáquio scored the decisive goal to secure progression for the host nation. The result marks Canada’s first-ever advancement to the World Cup knockout stage.
Attention now turns to three high-profile fixtures scheduled for tonight and early morning, featuring Brazil, Germany, and the Netherlands in crucial knockout matches.
Match Schedule (Afghanistan Time)
- Brazil vs Japan — 9:30 PM
- Germany vs Paraguay — 1:00 AM
- Netherlands vs Morocco — 5:30 AM
Five-time world champions Brazil face a disciplined and resilient Japan side, while Germany meets Paraguay in a high-stakes encounter. Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Morocco are set for one of the most competitive matchups of the round.
The fixtures are expected to determine the first teams advancing further into the last 16, marking the beginning of the decisive phase of the tournament.