By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana ahead of their FIFA World Cup match against Canada this evening.
This is the first time the national squad has advanced beyond the group stages into the knockout rounds.
“At 9pm, South African time, Bafana Bafana will put our whole country and our entire nation on a global map once again. But this time, they are doing it as one of the top 32 football teams in the world, playing against Canada.
“I want to wish them every luck, they have really made us proud. They’ve played extremely well, and for the first time, the South African flag on the world football stage is flying very high,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa says “he knows that our boys” are going to make every South African proud.
“When they take to that world football stage or pitch, they will dazzle the Canadians, and they will defeat them, and they will move to the 16 number of countries that will play in the competition, which is the knockout stage. I’d like all South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana and give them maximum support.”
Ramaphosa and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared a friendly exchange, wishing both teams well while each backing their nation’s chances.
It’s match day! 🇿🇦⚽
Ahead of today’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash between South Africa and Canada, President @CyrilRamaphosa and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared a friendly exchange, wishing both teams well while each backing their nation’s chances.
Now it’s… pic.twitter.com/SCNLLhH3pA
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 28, 2026
South Africa appeared previously at the World Cup in 1998, 2002 and 2010, while Canada played in 1986 and 2022. All prior campaigns for both of these teams resulted in group stage exits.
They looked destined for another when they lost the opening game of the tournament to co-hosts Mexico 2-0 before conceding the first goal in their second game against Czechia.
Teboho Mokoena levelled the scores in the 83rd minute of that game, and then Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute winner handed South Africa a memorable 1-0 win over South Korea to seal second place in Group A.
Canada began their Group B fixtures with a 1-1 draw to Bosnia & Herzegovina before an impressive 6-0 demolition of Qatar. Despite a 2-1 loss to Switzerland in their most recent game, Jesse Marsch led his side to second place.
Fullview also learnt that Pitso Mosimane is one of the frontrunners to succeed Hugo Broos after the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Meanwhile Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to claim second spot in Group L on Saturday to secure their passage to the last 32 of the World Cup.
Elsewhere Scotland and South Korea were eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday after failing to make it into the top eight of the third-placed teams. Both teams exited after one win and two defeats.