Competition – FIFA World Cup 2026
Round of 32 – Sunday, June 28, 2026
Kick-off – 10 pm
Venue – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Why South Africa vs Canada match matters
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Rams and one of the most spectacular venues in North American sport, hosts the very first knockout match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And it could barely have been scripted more perfectly: two nations entering World Cup knockout football for the very first time in their histories, on the same Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, winner takes all.
South Africa’s journey to this moment has been one of the tournament’s most remarkable stories. Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana arrived at their fourth World Cup, and first since hosting in 2010, having never progressed beyond the group stage in any previous appearance.
They started this campaign with a result to forget, 2-0 to Mexico in a match where they got two red cards and suddenly all was doomed. But Bafana recovered against Czechia with Teboho Mokoena’s penalty, rescuing a 1-1 draw late in the game. Then, Mokoena himself earned a suspension for their final fixture against South Korea. But with the odds stacked against them, Thapelo Maseko coolly controlled Tshepang Moremi’s cross, wrong-footed the keeper and stubbed in shortly after the hour interval to deliver what is South Africa’s most historic football result since 2010.
“The mentality in this group is amazing,” he said. “Everybody is working for everybody. We are not afraid of other teams.”
See also: Panama vs England Predictions
Canada’s path to Los Angeles has been equally dramatic and arguably more turbulent than their results suggest. Jesse Marsch’s Les Rouges drew with Bosnia, demolished Qatar 6-0, then lost 2-1 to Switzerland in their final group game in Vancouver, a defeat that denied them home advantage in the knockouts and the chance to face an easier third-placed opponent. Two key players have missed significant action through injury: Ismail Kone suffered a devastating tibia fracture against Qatar that ended his tournament, and captain Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich’s electric left-back, arguably Canada’s most important player, has not featured in a single minute at this World Cup due to a hamstring injury. Marsch admitted to using Davies as a “decoy” to fool Switzerland during their pre-match analysis. The question of whether Davies is truly fit to start in Los Angeles is the most consequential team news story of this Round of 32. Marsch has confirmed he will be available, but “available” and “fit to last 90 minutes” may be different things in a knockout match.
South Africa’s form guide – W-D-L-D-D
South Africa’s last five matches
- 25.06.2026 – South Africa 1-0 South Korea
- 18.06.2026 – Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa
- 11.06.2026 – Mexico 2-0 South Africa
- 07.06.2026 – Jamaica 1-1 South Africa
- 29.05.2026 – South Africa 0-0 Nicaragua
South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- 25.06.2026 – South Africa 1-0 South Korea
- 18.06.2026 – Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa
- 11.06.2026 – Mexico 2-0 South Africa
Goals scored – 2
Goals conceded – 4
Key trends from South Africa’s group matches
South Africa conceded two early goals in both their opening games against Mexico and Czechia. Against Mexico, they conceded the first goal in the 9th minute and then in the 6th minute against Czechia. Both their two goals came late in the game, scoring their equaliser against Czechia in the 83rd minute from a penalty and in the 63rd in their 1-0 win over South Korea. They received two yellow cards in both matches and two red cards in the opening game. In total, they scored two goals and conceded four. None of the matches involving South Africa saw three or more goals.
Canada’s form guide – L-W-D-D-W
Canada’s last five matches
- 24.06.2026 – Switzerland 2-1 Canada
- 19.06.2026 – Canada 6-0 Qatar
- 12.06.2026 – Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
- 06.06.2026 – Canada 1-1 Ireland
- 02.06.2026 – Canada 2-0 Uzbekistan
Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- 24.06.2026 – Switzerland 2-1 Canada
- 19.06.2026 – Canada 6-0 Qatar
- 12.06.2026 – Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Key trends from Canada’s group matches
Canada had to thank Cyle Larin for a late equaliser in their opening match against Bosnia and then thrashed Qatar for a statement victory in Vancouver on Day 2 to all but seal their Round of 32 qualification that rendered their 2-1 loss to Switzerland ineffective. Two of their three matches produced three or more goals, as well as both teams scoring. Now they lose their home advantage and will be in California for this tie.
Head-to-Head Results
- 20.11.2007 – South Africa 2-0 Canada
South Africa Team News
Teboho Mokoena missed the win over South Korea due to suspension but his return is the single biggest positive team news development for Bafana Bafana heading into Los Angeles.
Sphephelo Sithole returned from his red card ban to play against South Korea and performed well. Broos praised his “bounce-back mentality” after the midfielder had been visibly affected by the Mexico red card. He starts alongside Mokoena in the middle.
Canada team news
Captain Alphonso Davies is expected to start potentially at left-back or pushed higher into midfield to allow Richie Laryea to play left-back. A fully fit Davies transforms Canada’s left flank with his pace, carrying ability and crossing at speed, making him one of the most dynamic left-backs in world football. Even at partial fitness, his presence is a significant upgrade. The question is how many minutes he can sustain in a knockout environment after three weeks of limited training.
Key players to watch: Jonathan David has three World Cup goals from a hat-trick against Qatar, and is Canada’s most lethal finisher. His movement in the penalty area and ability to time runs behind a defensive line make him South Africa’s primary threat to contain. Alphonso Davies, if fit and starting, his impact on Canada’s left flank. Tajon Buchanan adds pace and directness from the right wing who can beat South Africa’s left-back and deliver crosses for David.
South Africa Predicted XI (4-3-3)
- Ronwen Williams (GK)
- Khuliso Mudau (RB)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (CB)
- Siyanda Xulu / Nkosinathi Sibisi (CB)
- Aubrey Modiba (LB)
- Teboho Mokoena (CM) – returns from suspension
- Sphephelo Sithole (CDM)
- Thapelo Maseko (RM)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (CAM)
- Oswin Appollis (LW)
- Evidence Makgopa (ST)
Canada Predicted XI
- Maxime Crepeau (GK)
- Alistair Johnston (RB)
- Derek Cornelius (CB)
- Luc de Fougerolles (CB)
- Alphonso Davies (LB) – EXPECTED TO START
- Stephen Eustaquio (CM)
- Nathan Saliba (CM)
- Tajon Buchanan (RW)
- Ali Ahmed / Liam Millar (AM)
- Jonathan David (ST)
- Cyle Larin (ST)
Best Betting Markets for South Africa vs Canada
Match winner – Canada
Over / Under Goals – Under 2.5 Goals
Both teams to score – No
Anytime Goalscorer – Jonathan David
Correct score prediction: Canada 2-0 South Africa
First Goal — Yes
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