South Africa secured a historic spot in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, defeating South Korea 1-0 in their final group stage match. This marks the first time the nation has advanced past the group stage in World Cup history. The winning goal was scored by Thapelo Maseko, cementing his place as a national hero. Entering the final matchday with just one point, South Africa’s victory was a significant upset. They are now set to face Canada in the knockout round on June 28th at 19:00 UTC. The team, coached by Hugo Broos, celebrated a landmark achievement for South African football.