No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Jonathan David3 - 2Cyle Larin2
- 3Nathan Saliba1
- 4Promise David1
- 5
Teboho Mokoena1 - 6Thapelo Maseko1
- 1Jonathan David13
- 2Cyle Larin9
- 3Thapelo Maseko8
- 4Aubrey Modiba5
- 5Mbekezeli Mbokazi4
- 6Derek Cornelius4
- 7Evidence Makgopa4
- 8Tajon Buchanan4
- 9Promise David4
- 10Alistair Johnston4
- 1Aubrey Modiba5
- 2Khuliso Mudau5
- 3Richie Laryea4
- 4Mbekezeli Mbokazi3
- 5Luc De Fougerolles3
- 6Derek Cornelius3
- 7Nathan Saliba3
- 8Tajon Buchanan3
- 9Liam Millar2
- 10Thalente Mbatha2
- 1Nathan Saliba2
- 2Tshepang Moremi1
- 3Promise David1
- 1Alistair Johnston9
- 2Teboho Mokoena6
- 3Richie Laryea5
- 4Relebohile Mofokeng5
- 5Nathan Saliba4
- 6Jacob Shaffelburg4
- 7Stephen Eustaquio4
- 8Liam Millar3
- 9Tajon Buchanan3
- 10Aubrey Modiba3
- 1Ime Okon173
- 2Stephen Eustaquio151
- 3Teboho Mokoena132
- 4Luc De Fougerolles124
- 5Derek Cornelius116
- 6Khuliso Mudau115
- 7Richie Laryea108
- 8Mbekezeli Mbokazi103
- 9Alistair Johnston97
- 10Ismaël Koné95
- 1Tajon Buchanan4
- 2Liam Millar3
- 3Richie Laryea3
- 4Nathan Saliba3
- 5Oswin Appollis3
- 6Thapelo Maseko3
- 7Tani Oluwaseyi2
- 8Alistair Johnston2
- 9Iqraam Rayners1
- 10Kamogelo Sebelebele1
- 1Khuliso Mudau7
- 2Alistair Johnston5
- 3Thalente Mbatha4
- 4Teboho Mokoena4
- 5Mbekezeli Mbokazi3
- 6Yaya Sithole3
- 7Ismaël Koné3
- 8Ime Okon3
- 9Jayden Adams2
- 10Derek Cornelius2
Both South Africa and Canada face the biggest matches in their history in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup on Sunday. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm (UK time) on Sunday 28th June at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles.
South Africa reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history, recovering from a 2-0 opening defeat to Mexico to beat South Korea 1-0 and claim second place in Group A. Canada had a more serene passage to the last 32, claiming four points from their opening two fixtures – a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina and a 6-0 rout of Qatar. A 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their final group game proved academic, but left Jesse Marsch’s side in need of a response.
History will be made on Sunday as Canada become the first host nation of a World Cup to play a match outside their own borders. Whoever wins this fixture records their nation’s first-ever World Cup knockout victory and books a place in the last 16.
South Africa vs Canada predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan David to score anytime | 7/4 @ bet365 (36.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | David scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 win over Qatar and enters this fixture as the tournament’s joint-top scorer. The Juventus forward combines intelligent movement with lethal finishing in tight spaces and has been Canada’s defining attacking force across the group stage. South Africa defend deep and will invite pressure — exactly the conditions where David’s movement and late runs into the box cause the most damage. At the available price, Canada’s centre-forward is the standout anytime scorer selection in Los Angeles. |
| Canada to win and under 2.5 goals | 5/2 @ Sky Bet (28.6%) | ⭐⭐ | South Africa have conceded just one goal in two group games since their opening defeat and defend with tremendous organisation. Canada carry superior technical quality but will face a physical, disciplined block that restricts space. South Africa have failed to score in two of their three group games, and both sides have shown a tendency towards tight, controlled performances. A narrow Canada win in a game where clean sheets are valued reflects the cautious, high-stakes nature of knockout football at its first hurdle. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into South Africa vs Canada
South Africa
South Africa produced one of the tournament’s memorable group-stage performances by beating South Korea to finish second in Group A. Hugo Broos faced enormous criticism after the opening 2-0 defeat to Mexico – a game that saw two players sent off and left Bafana Bafana’s campaign hanging by a thread. The response was remarkable. A 1-1 draw with Czech Republic restored belief before Thapelo Maseko’s goal sealed a historic 1-0 win over South Korea.
South Africa’s victory against South Korea did not come from sitting deep and absorbing pressure. They took the game to their opponents with quick transitions, closed the South Koreans down aggressively and created more chances than the opposition. That physicality and directness will be central to Broos’ approach in Los Angeles.
After failing to qualify for the last three World Cup editions and failing to progress from the group stage in 1998, 2002, and as hosts in 2010, Sunday represents a genuinely historic moment for South African football. The pressure is immense, but this squad has already demonstrated it can handle adversity.
Canada
Canada were without two of their star players -Alphonso Davies and Moise Bombito – for most of the group stage, and also lost midfielder Ismaël Koné after he was stretchered off against Qatar with a broken leg. Those absences shaped a group campaign that swung between the extraordinary – the 6-0 demolition of Qatar – and the disappointing – a narrow defeat to Switzerland that cost Canada home advantage in the knockout rounds.
Canada become the first host nation of a World Cup to play a match outside their own borders on Sunday – a consequence of finishing second in Group B rather than first. Marsch will demand a response from a side that lacked the intensity against Switzerland that defined their best moments in the group stage. The defeat was a useful reminder of what knockout football demands.
Davies is yet to start at the 2026 World Cup after returning from a hamstring injury, but suggestions indicate the Bayern Munich defender could be involved in Los Angeles. His potential involvement adds an enormous variable to Canada’s attacking options. A fully fit Davies operating in a more advanced role gives Canada a weapon South Africa cannot prepare for in the same way.
South Africa team news
South Africa welcome Teboho Mokoena back into their side after the 29-year-old served a one-game suspension against South Korea. His return strengthens the midfield platform significantly and gives Broos a more combative presence in the engine room.
Themba Zwane remains suspended following his red card against Mexico in the opening match. His absence limits South Africa’s attacking options and places greater responsibility on the shoulders of Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis from wide areas.
Ronwen Williams continues in goal behind a back four of Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Aubrey Modiba. Mokoena returns alongside Siphephelo Mbatha in central midfield, with Thapelo Maseko, Mofokeng and Appollis providing the attacking width behind lone striker Evidence Makgopa. Makgopa played the full 90 minutes against South Korea and earned Broos’ trust – he leads the line again in Los Angeles.
Canada team news
Ismaël Koné misses the remainder of the tournament with a tibia fracture sustained against Qatar. Stephen Eustaquio carries a muscle complaint and faces a late fitness assessment, while Alfie Jones is also subject to a final check before kick-off.
Davies is expected to be involved in some capacity after recovering from his hamstring injury. Marsch has exercised extreme caution with his top talents throughout the group stage – Sunday represents the moment that caution may finally be relaxed. Whether Davies starts or comes from the bench carries enormous implications for Canada’s attacking output.
Jonathan David and Cyle Larin are in line to continue in the final third, with Tajon Buchanan expected to start from a wide area. Alistair Johnston and Richie Laryea continue at full-back. Maxime Crépeau carries no concerns and continues in goal.
Head-to-Head
South Africa and Canada have met only once in senior international football – a friendly in November 2007, which South Africa won 2-0 at home. Sunday’s Round of 32 in Los Angeles is their first-ever competitive encounter. Two nations making their World Cup knockout debut simultaneously is a genuinely extraordinary occasion. One side will record their nation’s first-ever World Cup knockout victory before the night is out.
Which side will make history and advance?
Both nations enter Sunday’s fixture knowing the World Cup journey ends here for one of them. South Africa carry the momentum of a comeback campaign and the belief of a nation that has waited decades for this moment. Canada enter with greater individual quality but a pressing need to restore their intensity after the Switzerland setback.
We’re backing Jonathan David to deliver in Los Angeles. 7/4 at bet365 for David to score anytime reflects his outstanding tournament form, his clinical finishing and South Africa’s tendency to concede to direct, physical centre-forwards.
For a combined play, Canada to win and under 2.5 goals at 5/2 at Sky Bet reflects the tight, cautious nature of knockout football and South Africa’s disciplined defensive record since their opening defeat to Mexico.
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