The knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup has begun with a match between South Africa and Canada in Los Angeles. This second-round fixture kicked off at 9:00 PM local time. The winner of this contest will advance to face the Netherlands, assuming the Dutch team defeats Morocco. Sixteen matches will comprise this second round of the tournament. The game represents the start of single-elimination play, raising the stakes for both national teams. This initial match sets the stage for a competitive series of contests determining which nations will progress further in the World Cup.