{"id":14873,"date":"2026-06-26T11:31:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=14873"},"modified":"2026-06-26T11:32:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:32:38","slug":"match-preview-south-africa-vs-canada-06-28-26-world-cup-2026-round-of-32","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/world-cup\/match-preview-south-africa-vs-canada-06-28-26-world-cup-2026-round-of-32\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa vs Canada: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> tie that looks even on paper but tilts towards the side with more in attack \u2014 and that is Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

bet365 make Canada favorites at -143, with South Africa out at +425 and the draw at +260. The Canada World Cup 2026 odds<\/a> reflect a side expected to win, though not by much against opponents this well-organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa vs Canada: Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This has the shape of a tight, low-scoring knockout, with Canada’s quality the most likely thing to settle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Our Prediction<\/th>\nOdds & Sportsbook<\/th>\nConfidence<\/th>\nWhy We’re Backing It<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Canada to Win<\/strong><\/td>\n-143 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(58.8%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nThe sharper attack, with David and Larin both scoring in the group stage. South Africa managed only two goals across their three games.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jonathan David<\/strong> to score anytime<\/td>\n+175 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(36.4%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nCanada’s talisman scored three times in the group stage off an xG of 2.83 and six shots on target \u2014 comfortably the shortest-priced scorer in the game.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Under 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n-150 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(60.0%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nSouth Africa’s defense has been their identity, and knockout football tends to tighten further. A cagey, low-scoring night is the percentage read.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Both Teams to Score: No<\/strong><\/td>\n-143 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(58.8%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nSouth 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Correct Score: Canada 1-0<\/strong><\/td>\n+500 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(16.7%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nThe bookmaker’s shortest correct score, and the natural shape of a narrow Canada win against a stubborn defense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"bet365<\/a>\t\t\t\t
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\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

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World Cup Form & Standings<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> and the Canada World Cup 2026 odds<\/a> both mark sides expected to bow out before the latter stages, but one of them is into the last 16.<\/p>\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n