South Africa vs Canada prediction. South Africa make their first ever World Cup knockout appearance against co-hosts Canada at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June 2026 (21:00 SAST (Sunday, 28 June 2026)). Maseko’s goal stunned South Korea; Davies returns from injury for Canada. A match that could go to extra time. Our prediction: Canada to win. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Round of 32 |
| Date & kick-off | Sunday, 28 June 2026 at 21:00 SAST (Sunday, 28 June 2026) |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| How they qualified | South Africa: 2nd in Group A (beat South Korea 1-0 MD3, Maseko). Canada: 2nd in Group B (4pts — lost final group game to Switzerland). |
| Historic significance | First World Cup knockout match for BOTH nations. |
| Format | Single elimination. If level after 90 mins: 30 mins extra time, then penalty shoot-out. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Historic firsts collide at SoFi Stadium
Sunday night in Los Angeles is historic for both nations. South Africa — returning to the World Cup after a 16-year absence — qualified for the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Their group campaign was a story of resilience: an opening defeat to Mexico, a draw against the Czech Republic, and then the defining moment when Thapelo Maseko scored a second-half goal to stun South Korea and send Hugo Broos’ side into the Round of 32. The tournament has allowed South Africa to silence their doubters and re-establish their place on football’s biggest stage.
Canada arrive as the more fancied side but with complications of their own. A 4-1 win over Bosnia and a 6-0 demolition of Qatar delivered four group-stage points, but their final-day 2-1 defeat to Switzerland denied them the opportunity to play a home knockout game. Jesse Marsch’s side must travel to Los Angeles as the opposition rather than the hosts.
The key selection decision for Canada is Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich left-back has returned from the leg injury that kept him out of the group stage and is back in full training. Marsch must decide whether to start him immediately or deploy him as a high-impact substitute. Either way, Davies’ pace, directness, and ability to change a match make him the most significant individual question ahead of kick-off.
South Africa’s midfield regains Teboho Mokoena after his one-match yellow card suspension. This is a significant boost — Mokoena is their most important midfield ball-carrier and defensive anchor. Themba Zwane, however, remains banned: the third and final game of his FIFA red card suspension following the direct red card against Mexico in the opening group match.
Availability
| Player | Status |
| Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) | AVAILABLE — returns from one-match yellow card suspension. Starts. |
| Themba Zwane (South Africa) | BANNED — third and final match of FIFA red card suspension. Cannot play. |
| Alphonso Davies (Canada) | DOUBT/BENCH — returned from leg injury; back in full training. Marsch decides start or bench. Confirm before kick-off. |
Team news and expected line-ups
South Africa: Mokoena returns to midfield. Maseko retained. Makgopa leads. Williams in goal. Zwane absent (ban).
Canada: David and Larin lead. Buchanan wide. Davies start or bench — confirm before kick-off. Crépeau in goal.
| South Africa (4-4-2 expected) | Canada (4-3-3) |
| Williams (GK) | Crépeau (GK) |
| Modiba (RB) | Johnston (RB) |
| Mbokazi (CB) | De Fougerolles (CB) |
| Mudau (CB) | Cornelius (CB) |
| Okon (LB) | Laryea (LB) |
| Mokoena (DM) | Saliba (DM) |
| Sithole (CM) | Ali Ahmed (CM) |
| Mbatha (CM) | Choiniere (CM) |
| Appollis (RW) | Buchanan (RW) |
| Makgopa (ST) | David (ST) |
| Maseko (LW) | Larin (LW) |
Key stats
- South Africa: Group A path: lost Mexico 0-2 (MD1), drew Czechia 1-1 (MD2), beat South Korea 1-0 (MD3, Maseko).
- South Africa: 4pts from 3 Group A matches. First World Cup knockout stage appearance in their history.
- Thapelo Maseko: scored the winning goal vs South Korea. Expected to start.
- Teboho Mokoena: RETURNS from suspension. Critical midfield presence for Broos.
- Themba Zwane: BANNED. Third game of FIFA red card suspension.
- South Africa: won their last two matches. Momentum is high.
- South Africa form (last 5): D L D W W.
- Canada: Group B path: drew Bosnia 1-1 (MD1), beat Qatar 6-0 (MD2), lost Switzerland 1-2 (MD3). 4pts.
- Canada: second World Cup appearance (previous: 1986). Third tournament including 2022.
- Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich): returning from leg injury. Whether he starts or comes off the bench is the key selection story.
- Jonathan David (Lille) and Cyle Larin: Canada’s attacking partnership.
- Canada form (last 5): L W L D W.
- H2H: South Africa 2-0 Canada (2007 International Friendly). Only previous meeting. South Africa won.
- First ever competitive meeting between the two nations.
Head-to-head
South Africa and Canada have met only once previously: a 2-0 South Africa win in an international friendly in 2007, with Teko Modise scoring a brace. This World Cup Round of 32 match is the first ever competitive fixture between the two nations.
| Date | Result |
| 2007 | South Africa 2–0 Canada (International Friendly, Teko Modise brace) |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC group stage) |
| South Africa | D L D W W — won last two matches |
| Canada | L W L D W — mixed form; 6-0 vs Qatar the standout result |
Our prediction
Canada are the favourites on squad quality, tournament experience, and the individual depth of David, Larin, Buchanan, and the potentially game-changing Davies from wherever he plays. Their 6-0 Qatar demolition showed clinical finishing, and their back four has experience playing together under Marsch.
South Africa cannot be underestimated. Their South Korea win was built on a disciplined defensive structure, moments of quality in attack, and the mental fortitude of Broos’ management. Mokoena’s return is significant. The home support in LA may fractionally favour Canada, but Bafana Bafana have already shown they can handle major pressure.
A tight, tense match is the likeliest outcome. Canada have the quality edge; South Africa have the momentum and the tactical discipline to make this deeply uncomfortable. Extra time is a real possibility.
Our prediction: Canada to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 2200Hrs UTC on 28/06/2026.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the South Africa vs Canada event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does South Africa vs Canada kick off?
Kick-off is at 21:00 SAST (Sunday, 28 June 2026) on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, USA.
How did South Africa qualify for the Round of 32?
South Africa qualified from Group A in second place after a remarkable final match. Having lost to Mexico and drawn with the Czech Republic in their first two games, they beat South Korea 1-0 through Thapelo Maseko’s second-half goal on Match Day 3. It was the country’s first World Cup knockout stage qualification.
Is Alphonso Davies playing for Canada?
Alphonso Davies has returned from the leg injury that kept him out of all three group stage matches and is back in full training. Coach Jesse Marsch is deciding whether to start him or use him as a high-impact substitute. Confirm his role in the official team announcement before kick-off.
Is Themba Zwane playing for South Africa?
No. Themba Zwane is serving the third and final game of his FIFA red card suspension following a direct red card against Mexico on Match Day 1. He cannot feature in this Round of 32 match.
What happens if the match is a draw after 90 minutes?
This is a knockout match. If the score is level after 90 minutes, the game goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If still level after extra time, the match is decided by a penalty shoot-out.
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