South Africa vs. Canada: Round of 32 Preview & Lineup Predictions

Charlie Zschau Updated: 4 hours ago

Canada and South Africa have both qualified for the knockout stage of a World Cup for the very first time, and meet in the Round of 32 on Sunday.

South Africa have qualified for the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup following a difficult start to the tournament.

Mexico beat Hugo Broos' team 2-0 in the opening match of the tournament. Bafana Bafana midfielders Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both shown direct red cards and South Africa were completely outplayed throughout the match, managing only three shots in the 90 minutes.

After that opening game, South Africa appeared destined for an early exit. However, the African team managed to draw against Czechia and then defeat Korea Republic in the final match to finish second in Group A.

Canada started off much stronger, drawing their first match against Bosnia & Herzegovina and then defeating Qatar 6-0. In the final match of the group stage, Canada lost to Switzerland 1-0 and fell to second place in Group B.

Canada earned their first World Cup points this year after losing all six of their previous matches across two tournaments.

Jesse Marsch's team were without two of their star players—Alphonso Davies and Moise Bombito—for most of the group stage, and also lost midfielder Ismaël Koné after he was stretchered off early in the second half against Qatar with a broken leg. As Canada's premier midfielder, his absence was felt in the loss to Switzerland.

Bombito played 45 minutes of the second half against Qatar, marking the 26-year-old's first minutes after breaking his leg while playing for Nice in France. Davies is yet to play in the 2026 tournament after coming back from a hamstring injury. Davies and Bombito are supposedly back to full fitness but Marsch has exercised extreme caution with his top talents by withholding them from the group stage contests.

Canada will be favored against South Africa, but will need Jonathan David and Cyle Larin to be clinical in front of goal. South Africa's defense has not allowed a goal in over 174 minutes leading into this elimination game, thanks to incredible play from 20-year-old Chicago Fire defender Mbekeli Mbokazi and veteran goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Jonathan David scored a hat trick against Qatar, and Larin scored two goals in the first two games—showcasing that they can find the back of the net—but will need show up in biggest game in Canada's history.

The Canadians will also need to be cautious of South Africa on the counter-attack. Broos' team can turn defense into offense in the blink of an eye, so Richie Laryea and Alistair Johnston will need to be aware of that speed when getting forward from the wingback position.

South Africa vs. Canada Start Time, Date & Location

South Africa will face co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32 on Sunday, June 28.

The match kickoff at 3:00 PM ET at the Los Angeles Stadium in California.

South Africa's Starting Lineup Prediction

Manager: Hugo Broos
Formation: 4-2-3-1

		ST Evidence Makgopa

LM Oswin Appolis		AM Relebohile Mofokeng		RM Thapelo Maseko

	CM Sphephelo Sithole		CM Teboho Mokoena

LB Aubrey Modiba				RB Khuliso Mudau
	CB Mbekezeli Mbokazi		CB Ime Okon
		GK Ronwen Williams

Teboho Mokoena will likely be back in the starting lineup after being suspended for the last match of the group stage due to picking up a yellow card in each of the first two games.

The four attacking players from the final group game against Korea will also likely start a second game in a row after there was significant shuffling up front in the group stage.

Center forward Lyle Foster started the opening match against Mexico but has not appeared since, whereas Evidence Makgopa played the full 90 minutes against Korea, seemingly earning the trust of his coach.

Canada's Starting Lineup Prediction

Manager: Jesse Marsch
Formation: 4-4-2

	ST Cyle Larin		ST Jonathan David

LM Alphonso Davies				RM Tajon Buchanan
	CM Nathan Saliba		CM Stephen Eustaquio

LB Richie Laryea				RB Alistair Johnston
	CB Derek Cornelius		CB Luc De Fougerolles
		GK Maxime Crepeau

Alphonso Davies is expected to make his first start of the 2026 World Cup after returning from injury and could take up a more advanced position to keep Richie Laryea in the side.

Stephen Eustáquio is likely to return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench against Switzerland, having been sidelined by a minor muscle injury. Nathan Saliba will retain his place in the midfield in the absence of the injured Koné.

Luc De Fougerolles started all three group stage matches but is at risk of losing his place to a fully fit Moise Bombito.