South Africa and Canada meet in the round of 32 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, June 28 at 3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT, with a place in the last 16 on the line and extra time and penalties waiting if needed.
Both reached the knockouts as Group runners-up. South Africa came through Group A behind hosts Mexico, and Canada finished second in Group B behind Switzerland. It is the kind of World Cup 2026 tie that looks even on paper but tilts towards the side with more in attack — and that is Canada.
South Africa have been built on their defense, conceding little and leaning heavily on goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who has been among the tournament’s busiest keepers. Canada, by contrast, carry a genuine cutting edge through Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. In a knockout that could be settled by a single moment, that gap up front is the difference the market has latched onto.
bet365 make Canada favorites at -143, with South Africa out at +425 and the draw at +260. The Canada World Cup 2026 odds reflect a side expected to win, though not by much against opponents this well-organized.
South Africa vs Canada: Best Bets & Predictions
This has the shape of a tight, low-scoring knockout, with Canada’s quality the most likely thing to settle it.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Sportsbook | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada to Win | -143 @ bet365 (58.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | The sharper attack, with David and Larin both scoring in the group stage. South Africa managed only two goals across their three games. |
| Jonathan David to score anytime | +175 @ bet365 (36.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Canada’s talisman scored three times in the group stage off an xG of 2.83 and six shots on target — comfortably the shortest-priced scorer in the game. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | -150 @ bet365 (60.0%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | South Africa’s defense has been their identity, and knockout football tends to tighten further. A cagey, low-scoring night is the percentage read. |
| Both Teams to Score: No | -143 @ bet365 (58.8%) | ⭐⭐ | South Africa have struggled for goals all tournament, and Canada kept a clean sheet in their group-stage win over Qatar. One end staying quiet is likely. |
| Correct Score: Canada 1-0 | +500 @ bet365 (16.7%) | ⭐⭐ | The bookmaker’s shortest correct score, and the natural shape of a narrow Canada win against a stubborn defense. |
Our approach: anchor on Canada to win at -143, take Jonathan David anytime as the lead scorer play, and treat Canada 1-0 as the natural scoreline in a tight knockout.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply.
World Cup Form & Standings
South Africa reached the round of 32 as runners-up in Group A, finishing on four points behind hosts Mexico. A 1-0 win over Korea Republic sealed their place after a draw with the Czech Republic and an opening loss to Mexico.
Canada took second in Group B behind Switzerland, also on four points, their campaign defined by a 6-0 rout of Qatar that papered over narrower margins elsewhere. The South Africa World Cup 2026 odds and the Canada World Cup 2026 odds both mark sides expected to bow out before the latter stages, but one of them is into the last 16.
Potential Match-Winners
- Jonathan David (Canada): The focal point of Canada’s attack, with three goals in the group stage off an xG of 2.83 and six shots on target. Their most likely route to a goal by some distance.
- Cyle Larin (Canada): A proven international scorer who added two goals from four shots on target, giving Canada a second dependable threat alongside David.
- Teboho Mokoena (South Africa): The midfielder is South Africa’s biggest goal threat from deep, weighing in with a goal off an xG of 0.95 and offering set-piece quality.
- Thapelo Maseko (South Africa): One of South Africa’s few attackers to find the net in the group stage, his pace on the break is a route to the rare chance they will get.
Recent Form
South Africa: W D L
- Jun 24, 2026: South Africa 1-0 Korea Republic (W)
- Jun 18, 2026: South Africa 1-1 Czech Republic (D)
- Jun 11, 2026: South Africa 0-2 Mexico (L)
South Africa improved as the group went on, recovering from the opening loss to Mexico to grind out the results they needed. The pattern is clear: defensively disciplined, but reliant on the odd goal rather than sustained pressure.
Canada: L W D
- Jun 24, 2026: Canada 1-2 Switzerland (L)
- Jun 18, 2026: Canada 6-0 Qatar (W)
- Jun 12, 2026: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (D)
The 6-0 win over Qatar showed Canada’s ceiling, but the narrow loss to Switzerland was a reminder that they can be got at. Against better organized opponents they have looked far less fluent.
South Africa vs Canada Prediction
South Africa will make this awkward, as they have all tournament, and a low-scoring, nervy knockout is the likeliest outcome. But Canada have the finishers to settle it, and that should prove decisive even if it takes them until late. We’re going Canada to win at -143 with bet365, with Jonathan David anytime and a 1-0 scoreline the supporting plays. If it is level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties loom. The bet365 review has current terms, and our Brazil vs Japan preview covers another of the round-of-32 ties. Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
South Africa vs Canada kicks off at 3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, in the World Cup round of 32.
As a knockout tie, if the score is level after 90 minutes the game goes to 30 minutes of extra time, and to a penalty shootout if still level.
bet365 price Canada at -143 to win, the draw at +260, and South Africa at +425. Jonathan David is the shortest-priced anytime scorer at +175.
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER