Match Information
Fixture: South Africa vs Canada Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32 Date: June 28, 2026 Kick-off Time: 19:00 UTC Stadium: Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood Capacity: 70,240
After the end of 3 rounds in Group A and Group B in the FIFA World Cup, Canada and South Africa are set to meet in the round of 32 on June 28, 7:00 PM UTC, at Los Angeles Stadium.
Both teams gained 4 points from their 3 group matches and finished in second position in their respective groups.
Canada's Campaign So Far
Co-hosts Canada started the tournament with a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the opener. The performance of Canadians against Bosnia was not up to expectations, but the team bounced back against Qatar with a six-goal victory.
In the second game, Ismail Kone's leg was broken by the tackle of Qatari midfielder Assim Madibo. Kone will miss the rest of the World Cup and the majority of matches next season due to the serious injury. Assim Modibo got suspended for 5 matches by FIFA for a ruthless tackle against Kone. Kone’s absence is a major setback for the Canadian team in the round of 32.
Nathan Saliba, who appeared for the team instead of Ismail Kone, has been involved in 3 goals directly from 2 matches.
In the last match against Switzerland, Canada put up a really good fight against an experienced Swiss side, but Switzerland topped the group with a 2-1 victory against Canada.
Canada received a major injury boost: their star player, Alphonso Davies, will play in the round of 32, according to the team's head coach, Jesse Marsch.
Canada's Biggest Tactical Challenge
Canada's biggest concern remains converting chances into goals. Jesse Marsch's side consistently creates high-quality opportunities through aggressive pressing and quick transitions, but wasteful finishing has prevented them from turning dominant performances into comfortable victories. Improving their efficiency in front of goal could be the key to reaching the Round of 16.
South Africa's Historic World Cup Run
Bafana Bafana, under Hugo Broos, qualified for knockouts for the first time in the history of the World Cup. The team had a bitter start against Mexico with a 2-0 loss and Sithole's red card, but in the next two matches, they ground out surprising results that led to their first-ever qualification for the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
The team held a physical team like Czechia to a 1-1 draw in the second match and defeated a technical and fast side like Korea in the final match of the group stage. Hugo Broos has become an iconic manager in South African history with this remarkable achievement.
Can Bafana Bafana Cause Another Upset?
However, it will be difficult for Bafana Bafana to advance further from the round of 32 because of a lack of players with experience from top-level European clubs; the team lacks creativity and precision in attack and midfield, and defense can be broken by an intense pressing side like Mexico did.
South Africa still scored only one goal from open play in the World Cup; it will be difficult for South Africa to handle the intensity of Jesse Marsch's Canadian side
Predicted Lineup
South Africa : Williams, Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba, Mokoena, Mbatha, Maseko, Mofokeng, Appollis, and Makgopa.
Canada : Crepeau, Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Davies, Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Millar, David, and Oluwaseyi.
Prediction and Forecast
Canada's pressing intensity, pace in wide areas, and the return of Alphonso Davies should give the co-hosts enough quality to break down South Africa's disciplined defense. If Canada improves their finishing, they have every chance of securing a comfortable victory and booking a place in the Round of 16.
Prediction : Canada 2-0 South Africa