Canada Advances to Face South Africa in Los Angeles After Switzerland Defeat

Canada will play South Africa in the Round of 32 at a stadium in Los Angeles after finishing second in Group B. The team lost 2-1 to Switzerland on June 24, ending its chance to remain in Vancouver for the knockout stage. Usa Today reported that this marks the first time a World Cup host nation will play a match outside its own borders.

The 2026 tournament is the first with three co-hosts, Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2002, Japan and South Korea co-hosted but both teams stayed within their own countries. Canada played its two group matches at BC Place in Vancouver, both sellouts.

The team last appeared in Los Angeles in March 2025 for the Concacaf Nations League semifinal and third-place matches, losing 2-0 to Mexico before defeating the United States 2-1. Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said the team wanted to stay in Vancouver but viewed the Los Angeles match as a major opportunity. “Training is not going to be so intensive,” Marsch said.

Defender Alistair Johnston said the players would have preferred to remain in Vancouver yet expected support in Los Angeles. “We’re playing in LA, we’re not playing on Mars or something, you know what I mean,” Johnston said.