local
South Africa reaches World Cup knockout round for 1st time with 1-0 win over South Korea
By Maya Koluder-Ramirez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
South Africa advanced to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday night.Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute off a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi and South Africa finished in second place in Group A behind Mexico, which won al...
Key takeaway Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute off a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi and South Africa finished in second place in Group A behind Mexico, which won all three of its group-stage games.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents with international roots, South Africa's historic World Cup win may resonate deeply, particularly among the city's sizable African and Asian communities. As a diverse city within the Houston area, Pearland is home to many individuals who closely follow global soccer tournaments. The fact that South Africa, a team that had previously struggled to advance from the group stage, has now broken through to the knockout round may inspire local fans who have been following their journey. Additionally, the upcoming matchup against Canada on Sunday may draw interest from Pearland's Canadian expats and soccer enthusiasts, potentially leading to lively discussions and viewing parties at local gathering spots. As the World Cup progresses, Pearland's community may come together to celebrate the achievements of international teams and players, reflecting the city's own cultural diversity and passion for the sport.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? South Africa advanced to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time with a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday night.Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute off a precise cross from Tshepang Moremi and South Africa finished in second place in Group A behind Mexico, which won al...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Maya Koluder-Ramirez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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