7M - World Cup Preview: South Africa vs Canada - prediction, team news, lineups

History will be made at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday evening as tournament co-hosts Canada face South Africa in the first round-of-32 fixture at the 2026 World Cup. With both nations enjoying unprecedented progress, this historic knockout matchup presents a golden chance to secure a spot in the last 16.

Match preview

South Africa enter the knockout rounds having written a remarkable new chapter in their footballing history by advancing past the group stage for the very first time. Under the guidance of head coach Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana showed incredible resilience to bounce back from an opening 2-0 defeat against Mexico. They kept their tournament ambitions alive with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic before securing their place in the last 32 with a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Korea.

Finishing second in Group A with four points, South Africa managed to edge out South Korea by a single point. Their reward is a first-ever competitive fixture against Canada, whom they have only faced once previously in a 2-0 friendly victory back in 2007. The defensive resolve shown in their recent group fixtures will serve as their primary foundation as they brace for a high-stakes encounter with a formidable North American frontline.

Canada also reached the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in their history, though their progression was slightly bittersweet. Jesse Marsch's side missed out on the top spot in Group B following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their group finale, meaning they relinquished home advantage for the upcoming knockout rounds. In a historical twist, Sunday will see Canada become the first World Cup host nation to play a tournament match outside its own borders, with the fixture taking place in California.

The Canucks booked their spot as runners-up behind Switzerland, collecting four points across their three games. They initiated their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina before delivering an explosive performance in a 6-0 demolition of Qatar. While Canada enter this knockout tie as the heavy favorites, Marsch will demand a sharper, more clinical performance from his squad to rectify the defensive vulnerabilities exposed by the Swiss.

The stakes could not be higher for both camps, with the victor of this clash moving on to face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the round of 16.

Team News

South Africa receive a massive midfield boost with the return of 29-year-old Teboho Mokoena, who missed the vital triumph over South Korea due to a one-match suspension. His reintroduction into the lineup for Yaya Sithole could be the only alteration to Broos's starting eleven. Bafana Bafana will remain without veteran playmaker Themba Zwane, who continues to serve his suspension following a straight red card received in the opening fixture against Mexico on June 11. Evidence Makgopa is set to lead the line once again.

Canada face several fitness dilemmas ahead of Sunday's clash. Midfielder Ismael Kone was ruled out earlier in the competition after sustaining a tibia fracture against Qatar, while fellow midfielders Stephen Eustaquio and Alfie Jones require late fitness tests due to muscle and conditioning concerns. Star wing-back Alphonso Davies has yet to make an appearance at this tournament due to an ongoing hamstring injury, though there is optimism he could feature from the substitutes' bench. Consequently, the creative responsibilities will heavily rest on Tajon Buchanan, with Jonathan David and Cyle Larin continuing their partnership upfront.

Predicted lineups

South Africa possible starting lineup:
Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Mokoena; Maseko, Mofokeng, Appollis; Makgopa

Canada possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Saliba, Ahmed; David, Larin

Prediction: South Africa 1-2 Canada

This promises to be an extremely close and unpredictable affair, as both teams are highly motivated by their historic knockout runs. South Africa's disciplined, conservative approach will present a stiff challenge, but Canada's superior attacking depth and tournament pedigree should ultimately give them the narrow edge needed to progress.