Who: South Africa vs Canada
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – spherical of 32
The place: Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, United States
When: Sunday June 28, at 12pm (19:00 GMT)
comply with: We’ll have all of the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT forward of our stay textual content commentary stream.
The primary match of the spherical of 32 at World Cup 2026 options two sides that performed within the first and second recreation of the event, as South Africa tackle event co-hosts Canada.
Beneficial Tales
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Either side are that includes within the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the primary time, so additional historical past shall be made for one.
It has been the event of the underdog thus far, so few will restrict their expectations as to how far they will go, together with two sides which have already stolen one present every to succeed in this stage.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a better take a look at the small print of the sport.
How have South Africa fared at World Cup 2026?
South Africa performed within the opening recreation of the event, however had been defeated by co-hosts Mexico.
The 2-0 reverse in Mexico Metropolis was adopted by a 1-1 draw in opposition to Czechia, with Thapelo Maseko’s second-half penalty incomes the purpose in Atlanta.
The crunch recreation got here in Monterrey with a win wanted in opposition to South Korea – Maseko scored the one objective to down the Asian giants and safe Bafana Bafana’s progress to the knockout stage in second spot in Group A.
How have Canada fared at World Cup 2026?
Canada had been the second recreation that was performed on the event, when the guy co-hosts drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cyle Larin scored Canada’s objective to stage issues solely 121 seconds after approaching as 76th minute sub.
Jonathan David netted a hat-trick in opposition to 2022 event hosts, Qatar, in a 6-0 drubbing that ensured Canada’s passage to the knockouts – and grabbed the headlines for downing the back-to-back Asian champions in such a trend.
Prime spot within the group was denied them, nonetheless, with a 2-1 defeat by Switzerland within the ultimate spherical of video games within the group .
South Africa type information
South Africa: D-D-L-D-W (Final 5 video games, newest end result final)
South Africa had gone seven video games with out a win, dropping three, earlier than beating South Korea to succeed in the final 32.
The winless run started with their 2-1 defeat by Cameroon in January which sealed their elimination from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Canada type information
Canada: W-D-D-W-L (Final 5 video games, newest end result first)
Canada’s defeat by the hands of Switzerland was their first in 11 matches.
The ten-match undefeated run, eight in worldwide friendlies previous to the World Cup, included 4 wins.
The final defeat earlier than the event was a 1-0 reverse in a pleasant with Australia.
South Africa vs Canada predictions
Opta’s supercomputer has calculated a 66 % probability of Canada reaching the final 16.
Their probability of reaching the quarterfinals drops, nonetheless, to 25 % with solely a two % probability of reaching the ultimate.
South Africa’s probability of reaching the semifinals is barely over one %.
Who’re the potential final 16 opponents for the winner?
Both the Netherlands or Morocco will play the winner.
An all-African last-16 tie is subsequently within the offing. It will be a mouth-watering conflict between Bafana Bafana in opposition to the now dominant crew from the north of the continent, who had been the primary African facet to succeed in the final 4 of a World Cup after they did so at Qatar 2022.
Solely 4 African nations, Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana finishing the pack, have reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup.
Head-to-head
They’ve met beforehand solely as soon as, with South Africa profitable 2-0 in a pleasant in 2007.
South Africa crew information
Teboho Mokoena returns from a one-game suspension, picked up for yellow playing cards in every of South Africa’s first two video games, that pressured the 29-year-old to overlook the match in opposition to South Korea.
Themba Zwane stays suspended, nonetheless, following the purple card he was proven within the opener in opposition to Mexico.
Mokoena may are available in for Yaya Sithole in midfield.
Predicted South Africa beginning lineup
Williams (goalkeeper); Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Mokoena; Maseko, Mofokeng, Appollis; Makgopa
Canada crew information
Ismael Kone’s fractured tibia, sustained in opposition to Qatar, retains him out.
Stephen Eustaquio and Alfie Jones each have knocks and face late health assessments.
In some excellent news, Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies may make the bench as he continues his comeback from a hamstring harm, that stored him out of the group stage matches.
Predicted Canada beginning lineup
Crepeau (goalkeeper); Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Saliba, Ahmed; David, Larin
