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Canada, one of the three co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup, has become the center of an unusual controversy after advancing to the Round of 32 despite losing its final Group B match to Switzerland.
Although Canada secured a place in the knockout stage, it will travel to Los Angeles to face Group A runner-up South Africa instead of playing on home soil.
It is highly unusual for a host nation to leave its own country to play a World Cup match, particularly in a tournament it is helping to stage. While Canada is scheduled to host two Round of 32 matches, neither will feature the Canadian national team.
The situation has sparked widespread debate among fans and commentators, with many questioning why one of the tournament’s co-hosts must cross an international border for its first knockout match.
Canada is set to become the first FIFA World Cup host nation to play a World Cup match outside its own borders when it faces South Africa in Los Angeles on Sunday. In previous multi-country World Cups, including the 2002 men’s tournament and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, host nations played all of their matches within their own countries.
At one point, Canada appeared likely to face South Korea in the Round of 32. However, South Africa defeated South Korea 1-0 in Mexico City on Wednesday to finish second in Group A and earn the right to face Canada.
Canada reached the knockout stage for the first time in its World Cup history despite a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in Vancouver. Switzerland topped Group B with the victory.
The Canadians opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto before recording their first-ever World Cup win with a 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver.
The tournament schedule has fueled discussion on social media, where many fans have expressed disappointment that Canada’s first knockout match will not be played on home soil, even though Toronto and Vancouver are both hosting Round of 32 fixtures.
Canada is hosting 13 matches during the 104-game tournament, including all three of its group-stage contests. Had Canada defeated or drawn with Switzerland in its final group match, it would have remained at home for the knockout round. Instead, Switzerland will play its Round of 32 match in Vancouver while Canada travels to Los Angeles.
