Canada face South Africa in first World Cup round-of-32 match
Canada are favored by Opta against South Africa as both teams seek a first World Cup knockout win in Los Angeles.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
South Africa and Canada open the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 on Sunday in Los Angeles, with both teams playing a knockout match at the tournament for the first time. Al Jazeera Sport reports that the match is set for Los Angeles Stadium at 12pm local time, 19:00 GMT.
The fixture brings together two sides that were involved at the very start of the tournament. South Africa played in the opening match against co-hosts Mexico, while Canada featured in the second game as one of the tournament hosts.
Al Jazeera Sport says South Africa reached the knockout stage by finishing second in Group A. Bafana Bafana lost 2-0 to Mexico in Mexico City, drew 1-1 with Czechia in Atlanta after a Thapelo Maseko penalty, then beat South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey through another Maseko goal.
Canada began with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Cyle Larin scoring shortly after coming on as a substitute, according to Al Jazeera Sport. Canada then beat Qatar 6-0, helped by a Jonathan David hat-trick, before losing 2-1 to Switzerland in their final group match.
Canada rated as favorite
Opta’s supercomputer gives Canada a 66 percent chance of advancing to the last 16, according to Al Jazeera Sport. Opta rates Canada’s chance of reaching the quarterfinals at 25 percent and its chance of reaching the final at 2 percent.
South Africa’s chances of making the semifinals are just above 1 percent, according to the same projection. The winner will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16.
Al Jazeera Sport reports that South Africa had gone seven matches without a win before beating South Korea. That run included three defeats and began with a 2-1 loss to Cameroon in January that ended South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Canada’s defeat to Switzerland was its first loss in 11 matches, according to Al Jazeera Sport. Before that, Canada had gone 10 games unbeaten, including eight pre-World Cup friendlies, with four wins in that run.
Team news and likely lineups
South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena is available again after serving a one-match suspension for yellow cards collected in the first two group games, Al Jazeera Sport reports. Themba Zwane remains suspended after being sent off against Mexico.
Mokoena could replace Yaya Sithole in midfield. Al Jazeera Sport lists South Africa’s predicted XI as: Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Mokoena; Maseko, Mofokeng, Appollis; Makgopa.
Canada will be without Ismael Kone because of a fractured tibia sustained against Qatar, according to Al Jazeera Sport. Stephen Eustaquio and Alfie Jones have knocks and face late fitness checks.
Alphonso Davies could be named on the bench as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the group stage, Al Jazeera Sport reports. Canada’s predicted lineup is: Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Saliba, Ahmed; David, Larin.
The teams have met once before, according to Al Jazeera Sport. South Africa won that 2007 friendly 2-0.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.