We offer team news and confirmed lineups for the R32 clash Canada vs South Africa at the 2026 World Cup. The winner of this clash will have won their first ever World Cup knockout stage game.
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Canada vs South Africa
Date: Sunday, June 28th 2026
Venue: Sofi Stadium, Los Angeles
Kick Off: 12:00 local time in Los Angeles
Referee: João Pedro Silva Pinheiro
Odds: Canada 1.72, Draw (after 90 minutes) 3.7 South Africa 6.1
Canada Team News
The comment from the Toronto star about Canada’s team ahead of this maiden knockout stage clash was “(Jesse) Marsch and (Alphonso) Davies spoke for 23 minutes. Roughly 20 were spent talking about the captain and his return journey here. Given that he can probably be expected to play about the same amount of time Sunday, that was probably too much.” Having not played in this tournament, Marsch insists that Canada’s star Davies will see at least some game time in this clash. That would alter the team dynamic, ideally in a positive way for Canada.
For the XI, Tani Oluwaseyi has been handled a starting role at striker ahead of Cyle Larin. Alphonso Davies is on the bench, while Liam Millar enters in place of Ali Ahmed as a midfielder.
In other injury news, Moise Bombito was handed the starting CB jersey again over Luc De Fougerolles. Bombito has been good in limited spells this tournament.
South Africa Team News
Hugo Broos believes a win for South Africa and a last 16 appearance would earn this team the respect it deserves. Bafana Bafana saved their tournament after a dreadful start against Mexico, and now face another CONCACAF opponent. As heavy underdogs, they are effectively playing with house money here. The tournament having already been a success.
The quality of CAF football cannot be discounted, all but one of their qualifying nations reached the last 32 of the World Cup, the best record of any confederation, and many of those teams did it through great organizational structure and a team first attitude.
As for the XI, Sphephelo Sithole will continue in a midfield role after some debate about whether he would start. Beyond that, it’s the expected XI for Broos with 4 in the back.
Read More: Perfection From Mexico and Other Lessons From World Cup Groups A-C
Canada Confirmed Lineup (4-4-2)
GK; Maxime Crepeau
Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea
Midfield: Tajon Buchanan, Nathan Saliba, Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Millar
Forwards: Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi
South Africa Confirmed Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba
Midfield: Sphephelo Sithole , Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Maseko, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis
Forwards: Evidence Makgopa
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
