Canada faces South Africa, referee announced for World Cup knockout match

The Guardian Sport1 min read • Latest: Jun 28, 2026, 3:11 PM

Last updated Jun 28, 2026

Canada faces South Africa, referee announced for World Cup knockout match
Summary

The World Cup knockout stage begins as Canada competes against South Africa on June 28 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. This match marks a historic moment for both teams, which finished second in their respective groups. Portuguese referee João Pinheiro will officiate, assisted by fellow countrymen Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia. The officiating team includes fourth official Omar Al Ali from the UAE and VAR Carlos del Cerro Grande from Spain.

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Key Details
  • Match scheduled for June 28 at SoFi Stadium in California
  • João Pinheiro serves as referee for the match
  • Canada and South Africa finished second in their groups
  • This is the first World Cup for referee Pinheiro
Latest Updates
  • 5:00 PMThe Guardian SportSouth Africa v Canada: World Cup 2026 last 32 – live
  • 3:11 PMYahoo SportsWho is the referee for Canada vs South Africa in World Cup?
What they're saying
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⚽️ Kick-off: 8pm BST/3pm EDT/5am AEST ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Daniel Being a footballer is the greatest thing in the world, right? We all spend our lives doing something, and how wonderful it must be for that something to be something we love, surfing extremes of emotion with teammates who become family. But there’s a debt to pleasure, paid by players and those close to them, with childhoods sacrificed, relationships compromised and time disappeared; the game consumes everything, its indigestion somehow passed on to those being eaten. Nights like tonight, though, are what make it all worthwhile, two countries contesting a World Cup knockout for the first time and a moment none who are part of it would have dared dream possible. Continue reading...

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The World Cup knockout stage begins when Canada faces South Africa on Sunday, June 28.

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