South Africa vs Canada
Key Details
2026 FIFA World Cup | Round of 32
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Sunday, 28 June 2026 | 20:00 BST
Our Prediction
Canada 2-1 South Africa
Key Stat
Jonathan David has scored 42 goals in 80 appearances for Canada
Top Tip
Jonathan David to score anytime
Jump to a section
Match Preview
Team News and Predicted XIs
Head to Head
Tips and Prediction
South Africa and Canada are set to lock horns on Sunday evening for a historic Round of 32 clash at SoFi Stadium, kicking off the knockout stage at 8pm BST.
Both sides reached this stage on four points from their respective groups, though Canada sit 30 places above their opponents in the FIFA rankings and come into this tie as favourites.

Preview: South Africa vs Canada

Recent Form
South Africa
D
D
L
D
W
Canada
W
D
D
W
L
South Africa's group stage campaign was hard-earned rather than commanding: an opening defeat to Mexico left them with work to do, but back-to-back positive results – a 1-1 draw with Czechia and then a 1-0 victory over South Korea – confirmed their place in the Round of 32 and provided Hugo Broos with a platform to build on heading into the knockout stages.
The win over South Korea was the result that mattered most, requiring a level of defensive organisation and collective discipline that has become the hallmark of Broos's approach; Ronwen Williams produced a composed display in goal, and the shape South Africa maintained under pressure for long periods of that match will be the framework they use again on Sunday.
The 2-0 loss to Mexico provided an early reality check about the gap between South Africa and the top tier, and their goal tally across the group stage reflected the difficulty of opening up organised defences – Bafana Bafana scored just twice across the three fixtures.
The suspension of Themba Zwane, who received a three-match ban after being sent off against Mexico in the group stage, is the most pressing team news concern for Broos, given the midfielder's ability to find space between opposition lines and provide a creative link that is difficult to replicate elsewhere in the squad.
South Africa vs Canada comparison
Last 5 games
South Africa
Canada
FIFA Ranking
60
30
Wins
1
2
Draws
3
2
Losses
1
1
Goals Scored
3
11
Goals Conceded
4
4
Clean Sheets
2
2
Canada's group stage showed promise but also conjured doubts: a 6-0 routing of Qatar provided their tournament's most emphatic performance and demonstrated the full range of Jesse Marsch's attack when it operates without restriction, but a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland before the knockout stage raised questions about how the squad responds after going behind.
The draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in their opening group fixture was controlled rather than convincing, suggesting that Canada are capable of managing matches without producing their best football, something that may be significant in a knockout tie against a South Africa side built to limit space and absorb pressure.
Jonathan David's record at international level marks him as the most potent individual threat in this fixture, with 42 goals in 80 appearances making him one of the deadliest forwards in the competition and the obvious focus of any defensive plan South Africa attempt to implement at SoFi Stadium.
Those wanting to compare markets ahead of Sunday's match can find NetBet's pricing on this Round of 32 tie covered in our NetBet review, with a NetBet bonus code also available for new customers registering ahead of the match.
Cyle Larin provides a capable second striking option for Marsch, with 32 goals in 93 international appearances reflecting consistent contribution to Canada's forward line, and the combination of his movement alongside David creates a partnership that should cause South Africa sustained problems if their defensive shape is disrupted.

Team news: South Africa vs Canada

South Africa

Outs and Doubts: South Africa
Suspended
Themba Zwane
Suspension | Red card against Mexico in group stage
Zwane's suspension is the most disruptive piece of team news for South Africa heading into this tie; the midfielder was banned for three games after being sent off against Mexico in his side's opener and his ability to operate in the spaces behind opponents has been a key component of how Broos unlocks defences.
His absence places added responsibility on Relebohile Mofokeng to provide the attacking invention and movement in advanced areas that the suspended Zwane would typically supply, and the 20-year-old's performance against Canada could define whether South Africa carry any genuine threat going forward.
The defensive structure that produced the 1-0 win over South Korea in the group stage gave Broos significant confidence; Williams was commanding throughout, the two-man pivot of Yaya Sithole and Thalente Mbatha was effective in screening the back four, and the team's ability to stay organised across a full 90 minutes was encouraging.
With no injuries reported in the squad, South Africa should otherwise be close to full strength, giving Broos the flexibility to set his team up with the exact defensive shape and counter-attacking structure the occasion demands.

Canada

Outs and Doubts: Canada
Out
Ismael Kone
Broken leg | Underwent successful surgery
Doubt
Alphonso Davies
Hamstring | Doubt – expected to start on the bench
Doubt
Alfie Jones
Strain | Not returned to full training
Kone is confirmed absent, removing one of Canada's more energetic central midfield options, though the squad depth available to Marsch means the loss does not fundamentally alter the structure he can deploy.
Davies is healthy according to Marsch, but reports have him listed as a doubt and he is expected to begin this game on the bench, so the task of replacing his combination of pace, crossing ability and defensive awareness on the left side of the lineup could fall to Richie Laryea.
Should Davies make the XI, Canada become a considerably more threatening proposition across the 90 minutes, thanks to his dynamism and direct running out wide that poses a danger to even the strongest of defences.
Jones's likely absence adds further uncertainty to the defensive arrangements on the right side, though Canada have options available to maintain a coherent back four if he cannot feature, and the group stage suggests their defensive unit is capable of adjusting without losing its core shape.

South Africa vs Canada injuries and predicted XIs

Predicted South Africa XI (4-2-3-1): R Williams; K Mudau, M Mbokazi, I Okon, A Modiba; Y Sithole, T Mbatha; T Maseko, R Mofokeng, O Appollis; E Makgopa
Predicted XI
South Africa
4-2-3-1
E Makgopa
T Maseko
R Mofokeng
O Appollis
Y Sithole
T Mbatha
K Mudau
I Okon
M Mbokazi
A Modiba
R Williams
Predicted Canada XI (4-4-2): M Crepeau; A Johnston, D Cornelius, L de Fougerolles, R Laryea; T Buchanan, S Eustaquio, N Saliba, Ali Ahmed; J David, C Larin
Predicted XI
Canada
4-4-2
J David
C Larin
Ali Ahmed
N Saliba
S Eustaquio
T Buchanan
R Laryea
D Cornelius
de Fougerolles
A Johnston
M Crepeau

Head-to-head: South Africa vs Canada

South Africa vs Canada all-time record
South Africa
1 – 0 – 0
Canada
W – D – L | All-time senior international record
1 win
0 draws
0 wins
Previous Meeting
South Africa 2-0 Canada
20 November 2007, International Friendly
The two nations have met just once in their entire international history, with South Africa recording a 2-0 victory over Canada in a friendly in November 2007.
That single meeting gives South Africa a perfect head-to-head record on paper, though with nearly two decades having elapsed since that fixture, neither squad resembles the ones that contested it.
Canada have undergone a considerable transformation since 2007, rising to a FIFA ranking of 30 and developing a group of players competing at the top end of club football in Europe, and Sunday's match at SoFi Stadium represents the first serious competitive benchmark between the two nations.
Current form, the group stage results each team produced and the squad quality available to both managers are the meaningful reference points for assessing how this knockout tie is likely to unfold.

Our South Africa vs Canada prediction and tips

With both sides having progressed from the group stage on four points, the World Cup bookies have settled on Canada as clear favourites, though the individual player scorer markets offer more compelling value for those who want something beyond the match result.
Jonathan David's goalscoring record makes him the outstanding individual pick in this fixture, and with South Africa having conceded four times across their last five outings, his ability to find the net against deep defensive blocks is the decisive form evidence here.
Those yet to join a platform should consider the range of new bookmakers offering enhanced markets on this Round of 32 tie, with welcome offers typically available on high-profile World Cup knockout fixtures.
Top Tip
Jonathan David to score anytime
Odds: 2.60
David carries 42 international goals from 80 caps into this fixture and has already scored three times at this tournament – a hat-trick against Qatar. South Africa conceded four times across their last five outings, and his movement across the defensive line makes him the standout individual selection in this match.
Value Bet
Both teams to score
Odds: 2.05
South Africa found the net in three of their last five matches, including twice in the group stage, while Canada conceded in three of their last five. South Africa's set-piece threat and Mofokeng's forward runs give them the tools to trouble Canada's defence even when they sit deep, and the knockout format encourages both sides to take risks.
Longshot
Oswin Appollis to score anytime
Odds: 6.00
Appollis is South Africa's most dangerous attacking outlet from the left, with the pace to threaten on the counter and the willingness to drive forward when space opens. In a match where his team need at least one goal from somewhere, his driving runs in behind Canada's defensive line make him the highest-probability choice for a Bafana Bafana goalscorer at meaningful odds.
Free Choice
Jonathan David to score first
Odds: 4.75
David's hat-trick against Qatar showed his excellent timing to arrive in dangerous positions and convert chances quickly; his record of scoring in big moments and Canada's desire to push forward from the opening whistle makes first goalscorer a natural extension of his anytime market at considerably longer odds.
Our Prediction
Canada 2-1 South Africa
Canada's individual quality across their squad gives them the edge in a knockout tie where South Africa will need to produce their best defensive performance and then find a way through a back line with more tools at its disposal.
  • Jonathan David to open the scoring, repeating the clinical finishing he produced against Qatar
  • South Africa will threaten from set pieces and on the counter, with Appollis and Mofokeng capable of earning a goal against a Canada defence that conceded in three of its last five outings
  • Canada's depth of attacking options, including Larin alongside David and the threat of Davies, should produce a second goal and prove decisive
  • Canada advance to the Round of 16 while South Africa exit having exceeded expectations at their first World Cup since 2010