Hollywood’s Jessica Alba was among the stars who turned out for the first knockout game of the 2026 World Cup, taking in the action as Canada took on South Africa.
Alba, 45, was spotted in the stands at the Los Angeles Stadium, usually known as SoFi Stadium, as the next stage of the summer competition got underway.
During the game, FOX’s broadcast cameras cut to the stands to show the Golden Globe-nominated actress sat with boyfriend Danny Ramirez for the crucial clash.
Alba and Ramirez, however, weren’t the only stars out at Inglewood, with Mexican actor and soccer player Cristo Fernandez also spotted pitch side on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Canadian actor Simu Liu presented the adidas Trionda match ball moments before the game got underway in California.
Liu and Fernandez then posed for a picture together as they soaked in the electric atmosphere inside the stadium, as fans eagerly awaited kickoff.
Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez were among the stars taking in Canada’s World Cup game
The actress was seen sipping on a beverage as she took in the action in Inglewood
Elsewhere, there were some familiar football faces in the building as former Man United and Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger was seen in the crowd.
However, not everyone was happy to see the German after he was labelled ‘racist’ by the Ivory Coast coach after describing the country’s football as ‘African’ and ‘wild’.
Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also taking in the action.
Prior to the game, American soccer manager Jesse Marsch sparked more fury on home soil by singing the Canadian national anthem ahead of their knockout clash.
Marsch, who played for the US national team but now manages their neighbors north of the border, previously opened up a can of worms when he claimed he previously had to ‘beg’ players to sing the Star-Spangled Banner before matches.
Marsch was seemingly extremely keen to belt out ‘O Canada’ on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, though, linking arms with his fellow coaches to loudly sing.
On X, fans were less than impressed with the American, with one claiming: ‘What an absolutely fake patriot Jesse Marsch is. Let’s force him to live in our 51st state for the rest of his life. STOP SINGING THEIR ANTHEM. Get it done @marcorubio.’
Another added, ‘Jesse Marsch an American singing the Canadian national anthem is such performative nonsense,’ while a third wrote: ‘Jesse Marsch is such a f***ing traitor singing O’ Canada’.
Marsch, who is the first American in history to manage Canada’s men’s soccer team, previously held the role of assistant coach for the USA at the 2010 World Cup.
Actor and footballer Cristo Fernandez poses for a photograph with Canadian actor Simu Liu
Former Man United star Bastian Schweinsteiger was also at the Los Angeles Stadium
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan, and FIFA Council member Mariano Araneta attend the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match
‘When I first came, I had to learn a lot about what it meant to be Canadian,’ he said. ‘Being a leader in this sport, I’ve always tried to create an environment where our differences make us stronger, not weaker.
‘From the moment I stepped into the environment with this team, I was impressed by how much they loved each other, how much they were drawn to each other and how much, even though there were differences, their back stories had similarities.
‘Every one of these boys is incredibly Canadian and the pride they have in putting on the jersey, representing the country and hearing the national anthem.
‘In the US sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem. These guys [Canada stars] belt it out to the top of their lungs because they want to show the country how proud they are to be Canadians and to represent what Canada is.’
