South Africa and Canada meet in the first knockout stage game of the 2026 World Cup on Sunday at 8pm (UK time).
Canada will have hoped to be playing their first knockout stage matches in their own country, but a second-placed finished as seen them on a route starting in America. The co-hosts opened the tournament with a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, having to come from a goal down late on. They bounced back in emphatic fashion, thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0. But Canada lost the final round matchup against Switzerland, having only needed a draw to finish top of the group.
Nobody expected South Africa to be in this match. They looked uninspiring in their opening game against Mexico, losing 2-0 to the co-hosts in the first match of the tournament. South Africa then needed a late penalty to rescue a point against Czech Republic, again struggling in front of goal. But Bafana Bafana won when it mattered most, producing a shock 1-0 win over South Korea to leapfrog them and finish second in Group A.
This will be the second meeting between these two sides, although South Africa’s friendly win came back in 2007.
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South Africa vs Canada team news
South Africa team news
Hugo Broos made a few changes to his team for the final group stage match against South Korea. And it worked exceptionally well. So he may look to keep that starting lineup, needing a similar performance to reach the last-16. Yaya Sithole immediately returned to the midfield after suspension and played like a man with something to prove. He was excellent alongside Thalente Mbatha in the double pivot, but the latter may be replaced by Teboho Mokoena who is back from suspension..
Relebohile Mofokeng earned his first start in the No.10 and will keep that role, supporting Evidence Makgopa. The latter led the line ahead of Iqraam Rayners, who had struggled in the first two matches. Thapelo Maseko and Oswin Appollis will play on the wings, with the former scoring the crucial goal against South Korea.
The defence should also remain the same. Aubrey Modiba was booked last time out but yellow cards have been wiped, so he will continue at left-back without risk of suspension. Khuliso Mudau is expected to start on the right, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Ime Okon at centre-back. Ronwen Williams is undroppable in goal.
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Canada team news
There will be questions asked about Alphonso Davies’ fitness and availability for this game. He is yet to feature at the World Cup, missing out on playing in front of his home crowd. The Canada captain is unlikely to start here, but will hope to make an appearance off the bench. Jesse Marsch is expected to keep his defence the same as it has been the entire tournament.
Maxime Crepeau will start in goal, with both Alistair Johnston and Richie Laryea the full-backs. Luc de Fougerolles and Derek Cornelius will continue at centre-back, with the defence all benefitting from having their yellow cards wiped. Marsch made a couple of changes to his midfield last time out, and he could bring Stephen Eustaquio back into the central pairing. Nathan Saliba is likely to join him, replacing the injured Ismael Kone.
Jonathan David and Cyle Larin are expected to continue as the strike partnership, even though Promise David came off the bench to score against Switzerland. Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar are likely to start on the wings, with the latter coming back in to replace Ali Ahmed.
South Africa vs Canada predicted lineups
South Africa (4-2-3-1): Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena; Maseko, Mofokeng, Appolis; Makgopa.
Canada (4-4-2): Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Saliba, Millar; J David, Larin.
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