New Yorkers celebrated the Knicks' championship on nearly every available surface along the parade route in Lower Manhattan.

Climbing on delivery trucks, hanging off lampposts, standing on the roofs of newsstands, clinging to the concrete pillars of City Hall, and filling up courtyards and sidewalks, thousands of exuberant fans packed streets to party.

The parade on Thursday was the culmination of weeks of electric energy across the city that grew during the Knicks NBA Finals run - the excitement finally bubbling over when the team won the championship on Saturday for the first time in 53 years.

"The vibes are absolutely amazing. This is just unreal," said parade-goer and 19-year-old college student Daniel Nemesure.

Streams of Knicks fans flooded up the steps from City Hall train station, spilling out into a large street-side courtyard already undulating from the massive pool of people.

With a drum line beating in the distance, everyone here had their eyes excitedly turned toward the cordoned-off street as they awaited the Knicks parade floats - and the possibility of catching a glimpse of their favourite players.

The throngs of people appeared to come from nearly every walk of life, but all had one thing in common: their blue and orange Knicks gear, and a love of New York City.

Parade-goers told the BBC they were thrilled to be part of the festivities - with many taking the day off from work.

"My boss is actually here too," said 29-year-old Devyn Lara, laughing.

"For everyone to come together for a team... was just really special."

After the Knicks won game five of the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday - clinching the title - everyone was hugging and celebrating, Lara said.

"Seeing pictures of people kissing, it honestly felt like the end of World War II."

A number of people at the parade remarked on how unified the often abrasive city has felt since the Finals began, and especially on Thursday.

"Just being here - everyone is wearing their Knicks hat, their Knicks merchandise. The city kind of feels united after so long," said Mallika Singh, a 19-year-old college student.

Singh said it's been incredible to see a team that her family has loved and watched since she was born finally win after so many decades of losses. Singh woke up at 04:00 local time (09:00 BST) and got on a 05:00 train into the city from Connecticut on Thursday morning to be there.

With her friends, Singh had been bopping around the parade route for hours, since around 06:00, she told the BBC.

"The city is so electric... Everyone's just really happy to be here," she added.

"There's a unity about it," echoed Eric, a native New Yorker who lives in Harlem. "The Knicks have brought the city together."

"Even during the whole playoff run, the city's been magnetic, energetic. Everywhere you go, people are wearing Knicks shirts," added Eric's companion, Angeline.

Travelling along the Canyon of Heroes - the famed route of New York City's ticker-tape parades - the parade moved from Lower Manhattan up to City Hall.

Knicks players, including Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, waved to crowds penned in by police on the sidelines, as confetti rained down on the rivers of blue-and-orange. Celebrities also took part, including Knicks game regulars Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Mariska Hargitay.

The procession concluded at City Hall with a ceremony honouring the team, featuring speeches from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Knicks head coach Mike Brown, Knicks owner Jim Dolan, and others.

"So often, when this city comes together, it is because we are forced to by a moment of tragedy or adversity," Mamdani told the crowd. "What a gift it is to be brought together by pure, unfiltered joy."

Several parade-goers said the Knicks' run has made New Yorkers friendlier.

"I see people holding the doors open for each other, just being genuinely nice to each other. I don't think New York's been this united ever," said Nemesure.

"The city's been so different than it normally is," his friend Yashas Balguri, 19, also a college student, added. "Jalen Brunson really brought everyone together this year."

The effects of the parade could be felt more than 100 blocks away uptown, as passengers in Knicks jerseys filled subways and a conductor announced trains were delayed over congestion caused by the festivities miles away.

"For as long as we live, we will remember this feeling of a city together, a city alive, a city overcome by happiness," Mayor Mamdani said during his parade speech.

South Africa scored ⁠a ⁠penalty seven minutes from full-time as they fought ⁠back to draw 1-1 with the Czech ⁠Republic at the World Cup after falling behind early in the Group ‌A clash.

Teboho Mokoena slotted home the spot kick after Pavel Sulc’s handball handed the South Africans a lifeline on Thursday as they were staring ⁠at potential early ⁠elimination.

The Czechs led from the sixth minute when Michal Sadilek struck ⁠home after a clever slipped ⁠pass from Alexandr ⁠Sojka following Adam Hlozek’s delivery from the right wing.

Both teams now ‌have a point after losing their respective opening games – two behind cohosts Mexico and South Korea, who face-off later on Thursday.

South Africa next face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the daunting task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca.

Both sides started with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, but the Czechs quickly set about making amends.

Patrik Schick is the biggest name in a Czech side lacking the star quality of previous generations but the Bayer Leverkusen forward missed a glorious chance inside the first minute when he planted a header wide.

Miroslav Koubek’s men only had to wait another five minutes to take the lead.

Adam Hlozek’s cross was classily cushioned by Alexandr Sojka into the path of Sadilek, who calmly stroked the ball past Ronwen Williams.

Now in their fourth attempt, South Africa have never progressed beyond the group stage at the World Cup.

Hugo Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana’s fortunes since taking charge five years ago.

The 2010 hosts had not qualified for the World Cup since 2002 but finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Their return to the global stage has exposed a lack of quality, though, particularly in forward areas.

The Czechs were left to rue not making more of their chances to kill the game off early in the second half.

Vladimir Darida took too long to get his shot off with a big chance before Lukas Cerv’s long-range effort was tipped over by Williams.

There were thousands of empty seats on show at the futuristic home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, but those that were in attendance loudly booed the mid-half hydration breaks in an enclosed and air-conditioned stadium.

The majority of the crowd were backing South Africa and finally had something to cheer seven minutes from time.

Thapelo Maseko’s shot hit the arm of the unfortunate Pavel Sulc and referee Tori Penso, part of an all-female officiating team, pointed to the spot.

Mokoena confidently drilled home the spot-kick for his nation’s first World Cup goal in 16 years.

They came close to a second five minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.

But both sides had to settle for a point that could yet prove vital come the end of Wednesday’s final Group A games.

A first-ever hat-trick for Lionel Messi, heavyweights Spain stunned by tiny Cape Verde, and DR Congo silencing Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal.

What more could you ask from the opening week of a FIFA World Cup?

After the first round of group matches, here are our top 10 takeaways:

Last dance? Perhaps not, Lionel Messi has more in store

Before the tournament kicked off in North America, many thought Lionel Messi would be gearing himself up for his final act. But after his first-ever World Cup hat-trick – one that also matched the record for most World Cup goals – Messi has reminded us his story is not over just yet.

Where is Cristiano Ronaldo? Portugal star goes missing

While the Messi mania dominated headlines over recent days, his longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, also made the news, albeit for the wrong reasons. “Is he past his prime?” was the collective question of viewers after his mostly anonymous display in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo on Wednesday.

There is no stopping Kylian Mbappe

Becoming France’s all-time leading scorer always seemed a matter of when, not if, for Kylian Mbappe, and achieving the feat in their opening World Cup match was further proof of his extraordinary talent. The 27-year-old, now just two shy of matching the all-time haul for most World Cup goals, is making a habit of chasing records.

The Golden Boot race is taking shape

Long-range rockets, tap-ins, headers and more. There was no shortage of goals, and Argentinian legend Messi is the outright leader with three strikes. As many as seven players – including England’s Harry Kane, Norway’s Erling Haaland and France’s Mbappe – are tied for the second spot with two goals each.

The title favourites are having a hard time

This is, by far, the upset of the tournament. Spain – the absolute frontrunners for the World Cup – stumbled at their first hurdle, being held to a shock goalless draw by Cape Verde, the archipelago west of the African continent of about half a million people, and whose team sits 65 places below the World No 2 in the FIFA world rankings.

Do not write off DR Congo

Yoane Wissa‘s first-ever goal, DR Congo’s first at a World Cup, sparked joy among millions from Kinshasa to Niangara. And for the other teams competing in the tournament, the 1-1 draw with No 5-ranked Portugal sent a warning that the underdogs are out to challenge some of football’s best sides, especially when the world is watching.

Dear Curacao, welcome to the World Cup

The 7-1 thrashing by Germany did little to dampen the spirit of Curacao fans, many of whom made the journey to the United States. For the Caribbean tiny island – the smallest-ever country to play at a World Cup – defeat meant nothing in comparison to the happiness of seeing one of their own score at the sport’s biggest stage. Livano Comenencia is a hero for all of Curacao.

Pink boots are everywhere

Pink seems to be the colour of the month, well, at least at the World Cup. Several players were seen wearing the vibrant, monochromatic boots – or cleats, as Americans would say – regardless of the manufacturer. Be it Nike, Adidas or Puma, sportswear giants have joined this trend of making their boots “electric fuchsia”.

From beats to booze, fans bring the party to the World Cup

It’s safe to say a World Cup is the biggest celebration of football. And some countries just do it better than others.

With their green-and-yellow shirts, flags and pounding drums, Brazil fans brought a slice of Rio to New York, while Moroccans later joined the party, the red smoke from the flares lighting up the World Cup mood. In Boston, Scotland’s famous Tartan Army chugged pint after pint, nearly ⁠draining some pubs of all their beer in the first weekend during their World Cup occupation of the city.

Meet Mexico’s unofficial mascot: Merlin the duck

To best sum up the football craze in tournament co-host Mexico, the fandom is not limited to humans.  A ‌domesticated duck named Merlin, sporting a miniature Mexico shirt and custom ⁠duck socks, has ⁠waddled his way into the hearts of many, becoming an unlikely unofficial mascot for the country’s World Cup campaign.

The 2026 World Cup will have 13 kickoff times. You can use the Al Jazeera Sport widget to find out exactly when your team is playing in your local time.

Who: Czechia vs South Africa
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match
Where: Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
When: Thursday, noon (16:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 12:30 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.

The second round of the group matches at the 2026 World Cup begins on Thursday as Czechia face South Africa in Group A in Atlanta.

Despite scoring first in their tournament opener, the Czechs suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Korea in Guadalajara, Mexico, while South Africa faced a similar fate. Their nine-man side fell 2-0 to cohosts Mexico in a chaotic contest in Mexico City.

As they fly to the United States, both bruised teams will hope to bounce back and stay in the hunt for the knockout stages at the 48-team tournament.

Here is all to know about the Czechia vs South Africa matchup:

Under-pressure Czechs can’t afford a loss against South Africans

Czechia’s rugged, set piece-reliant game failed against South Korea’s fluid, possession-based football despite captain Ladislav Krejci scoring the opening goal.

With Group A table toppers Mexico posing a more complex challenge in their final group fixture, the Czechs know their best chance of securing three points will be against Bafana Bafana on Thursday.

“Against South Africa, we have to get it right,” defender Jaroslav ‌Zeleny ‌said.

“Mexico will probably be a tougher challenge afterwards, so we have to give everything in the match against South Africa and absolutely make sure we win it.”

Before the Czech Republic and Slovakia became separate countries, confederated Czechoslovakia was for many years one of the best teams in Europe and finished World Cup runners-up in 1934 and 1962. Since then, the Czechia’s record has been poor with only four tournament appearances and progression to the knockout stages only once – a quarterfinal run in 1990.

The Czechs, back at the tournament after 20 long years, need a much-improved performance to keep their World Cup dreams alive in North America.

South Africa out to silence critics after Mexico disappointment

With millions of fans watching from across the world, South Africa played Mexico in the tournament opener, bringing back memories of the 2010 edition’s opening game. But unlike the result in their home World Cup opener 16 years ago, South Africa suffered a crushing defeat this time.

And while that was not unexpected against a solid Mexican side playing in front of a partisan home crowd, what disappointed fans back home was the poor display by the South African team.

Two red cards, two goals conceded and a below-par fight drew widespread criticism in South Africa with everything from the individual displays to the tactics of their coach, Hugo Broos, under the spotlight.

“Something that I’ve picked up is that South Africans are happy when you win, but when you lose, you are the worst. That is a fact,” winger Thapelo Maseko said.

“We have big players with heart, and if there ⁠is anyone out there doubting this team, they’d better think again.”

After impressive results by their African counterparts – Morocco, Cape Verde, Egypt and the Ivory Coast – the pressure is on Bafana Bafana to play catch-up.

Czechia vs South Africa prediction

Stats provider Opta’s supercomputer has given the Czechia a 54.9 percent probability of winning this fixture. South Africa has a 21.8 percent chance while there is a 23.3 percent probability of a draw.

Kickoff time and how to watch

• Czech Republic: CT Sport, CT Sport Plus, Nova Action (6pm Central European Summer Time)
• South Africa: SuperSport, SportyTV, New World TV (6pm South African Standard Time)
• United Kingdom: BBC Player, BBC One, ITVX (5pm British Summer Time)
• United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (noon Eastern Daylight Time)

To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA’s TV listings schedule here.

How does the World Cup group stage work?

Czechia, South Africa, Mexico and South Korea are in Group A.

After the first round of matches in their group, Mexico occupies the top spot with South Korea in second. Czechia and South Africa are third and fourth, respectively.

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups – along with the eight best third-placed teams – proceed to the next phase, the round of 32, which has been introduced at the World Cup for the first time.

Form guide:

(Last five games, latest match first)

Czechia: L-W-W-W-W

South Africa: L-D-D-L-D

Although both teams lost their World Cup opening matches, Czechia have a much better record overall than South Africa in their last five games.

Before losing to South Korea in the tournament opener, Czechia beat Kosovo and Guatemala in their pre-World Cup friendlies. In March, they beat Denmark and Ireland on penalties in the UEFA qualifying playoffs and also thrashed Gibraltar in November.

South Africa, on the other hand, are winless in their last five games. Besides losing to Mexico in the tournament opener, they were also left frustrated with their performance in the build-up to the World Cup, drawing with Nicaragua and Jamaica and losing to Panama.

Head-to-head

Thursday’s match will be only the second meeting between the teams.

Nearly three decades ago in December 1997, Czechia and South Africa met in a FIFA Confederations Cup group-stage game, playing out a 2-2 draw in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Team news

The Czechs have no injury concerns, but South Africa will be without midfielders Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane after both received a red card each in the opening game against Mexico.

Czechia’s predicted XI

(3-4-2-1): Kovar (goalkeeper); Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Sojka, Zeleny; Provod, Sulc; Schick

South Africa’s predicted XI

(5-3-2): Williams (goalkeeper); Mudau, Sibisi, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha, Adams; Rayners, Foster

For the first time since 1952, CBC will no longer air National Hockey League games.

The news was announced in a joint statement by Sportsnet, the exclusive Canadian rightsholder, and CBC.

“After a successful 12-year partnership, Sportsnet and CBC today announced the public broadcaster will no longer carry NHL broadcasts after the current season as it moves forward with a new sports programming strategy following the unprecedented success of the Milano/Cortina Olympic Games,” the statement read. “Watching hockey on Saturday night is a time-honoured tradition for Canadians, and Sportsnet is privileged to continue delivering that tradition. This has been a terrific partnership, and both parties look forward to continued opportunities to collaborate in the future.”

A joint statement from Sportsnet and CBC: pic.twitter.com/vgVBI2u1nn

— Sportsnet PR (@SportsnetPR) June 16, 2026

CBC has carried NHL games on television since 1952. The broadcasts, known during the regular season as Hockey Night in Canada, were produced by CBC Sports until the end of the 2013-14 season.

Due to financial issues at CBC, the public broadcaster was unable to reach an agreement with the NHL. Instead, the NHL signed a 12-year, $5.2 billion exclusive deal with Sportsnet in November 2013. However, Sportsnet announced its intention to sublicense its broadcasts to CBC to maintain the Hockey Night in Canada brand. Unlike previous agreements, these broadcasts were produced by Sportsnet rather than CBC Sports.

Under this sublicense, CBC continued to air Hockey Night in Canada, as well as key events such as the NHL All-Star Game and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The NHL renewed its deal with Sportsnet in March 2025 with a new 12-year exclusive agreement worth $11 billion. At the time, it was not announced whether Sportsnet’s sublicenses would continue. In addition to CBC, Sportsnet also sublicensed Monday night games to Amazon Prime Video and French-language broadcasts to TVA Sports.

It is likely, however, that this will not be the end of over-the-air NHL games in Canada. Rogers Communications, which owns Sportsnet, also owns the over-the-air network Citytv.

But this is a major blow for CBC, which has greatly reduced its sports programming in recent years. Other than the Olympics, CBC does not carry any other major sports events. It does have a smattering of other, more niche offerings, the most prominent of which is the PWHL.

According to a press release, CBC intends to replace Hockey Night in Canada with a new Saturday primetime show that will feature Canadians “competing at home and at the biggest events around the world.” A similar show will also be launched on CBC’s French-language equivalent, ICI TÉLÉ.

“As Canada’s Olympic network every day through 2032, our increased commitment will include more in-depth storytelling, more live sport, and more coverage of Canadian athletes at home and abroad,” CBC Sports executive director Chris Wilson said.

It is entirely possible that shifting more toward Olympic sports will benefit CBC, but the end of a 74-year broadcast arrangement for Canadians’ favorite sport will undoubtedly be a major loss for the network.

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