The Round of 32 gets under way as South Africa and Canada meet at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with a place in the last 16 at stake. It is a historic occasion for both nations — neither has ever reached the World Cup knockout rounds before, so one of them is guaranteed a first-ever run to the last 16. South Africa came through Group A in second behind hosts Mexico, sealing it with a 1-0 win over South Korea, while Canada finished runners-up in Group B after a thumping 6-0 win over Qatar. Kick-off is 8:00pm UK time on Sunday 28 June. Below are the confirmed details, predicted XIs and our best betting angles.
Match Overview
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Matchday | Round of 32 |
| Date | Sunday, 28 June 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 8:00pm UK |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| Broadcast | BBC/ITV (UK) |
Key Predictions & Confidence Score
Canada are favourites to advance and the bookmakers expect a tight, low-scoring knockout tie. Our three best angles:
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada to Win | 7/10 @ Sky Bet (58.8%) |
⭐⭐⭐ | Canada finished above South Africa in the group stage, are the higher-ranked side and carry the tie’s standout attacking threat in Jonathan David. With Alphonso Davies pushing for a return, Jesse Marsch’s side should edge a tight knockout. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 3/5 @ Paddy Power (62.5%) |
⭐⭐⭐ | Knockout football tends to be cagey, and South Africa’s whole campaign has been built on organisation — they scored just twice in the group stage. With both sides wary of an early mistake, a low-scoring contest is the firm market expectation. |
| Jonathan David Anytime Scorer | 8/5 @ Paddy Power (38.5%) |
⭐⭐⭐ | Canada’s talisman scored a hat-trick against Qatar and is his country’s all-time leading marksman. Against a disciplined but beatable South African defence, the Juventus striker is the likeliest man to make the breakthrough. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
Top Betting Tips & Value Analysis
1. Value Bet: Canada to Win
Odds: 7/10 with Sky Bet
Value Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Analysis: Canada finished above South Africa in the group stage on goal difference, are the higher-ranked side (30th to 54th) and have the tournament’s in-form striker in Jonathan David. With Alphonso Davies pushing for a return and home-tournament momentum behind them, Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts should have the edge. Backing Canada to win in 90 minutes is the straightforward play; in the knockout “to qualify” market they are as short as 1/3 to reach the last 16.
2. Player Prop: Jonathan David Anytime Scorer
Odds: 8/5 with Paddy Power
Value Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Analysis: David has been Canada’s talisman — the Juventus striker and his country’s all-time leading scorer netted a hat-trick in the 6-0 demolition of Qatar. Against a disciplined South African defence he may be starved of service, but if Canada are to break through, he is the obvious man, and 8/5 to score anytime looks fair for a forward in this kind of form.
In-Depth Match Analysis
South Africa: Hugo Broos’s Bafana Bafana have made history simply by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time. They finished second in Group A — a 0-2 opening defeat to hosts Mexico was followed by a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic and a priceless 1-0 win over South Korea, Thapelo Maseko’s late strike sending them through. Built on the goalkeeping of captain Ronwen Williams and the midfield of Teboho Mokoena, South Africa are organised and hard to break down, even if goals have been at a premium with just two scored in three games.
Canada: Jesse Marsch’s co-hosts also reached the last 32 for the first time in their history, finishing second in Group B. After a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, they thrashed Qatar 6-0 — Jonathan David helping himself to a hat-trick — before a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland cost them top spot. They carry a clear attacking threat through David and Cyle Larin, and the talismanic Alphonso Davies is pushing to feature having missed the group stage through injury. Defensively, though, they have conceded in every game.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | FIFA Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 54th |
| Canada | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 30th |
Potential Match-Winners
- Jonathan David (Canada): Juventus striker and Canada’s record scorer; a hat-trick against Qatar makes him the tie’s biggest goal threat.
- Alphonso Davies (Canada): Bayern Munich star and captain, pushing for his first minutes of the tournament after injury — a game-changer if fit.
- Lyle Foster (South Africa): The Burnley forward gives Bafana Bafana a Premier League-tested focal point in attack.
- Teboho Mokoena (South Africa): Back from suspension; South Africa’s midfield engine and a threat from set pieces.
Expected Line Ups for South Africa vs Canada
This is knockout football, so both managers will pick their strongest available sides. South Africa, under Hugo Broos, set up in a 4-2-3-1 around captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, with Teboho Mokoena back from suspension to anchor the midfield. Canada, under Jesse Marsch, line up in a 4-4-2 led by Jonathan David and Cyle Larin — the big question is Alphonso Davies, who is fit but did not play a minute in the group stage and may be eased in. Treat these as projected XIs; confirmed teamsheets land about an hour before kick-off.
Head-to-Head Record & Statistical Analysis
South Africa and Canada have met only once before — a 2007 friendly that South Africa won 2-0 — so this is effectively their first competitive meeting, and a genuine landmark: neither nation has ever won a World Cup knockout match, and both are in the last 32 for the first time. The key numbers:
| Statistic | South Africa | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Ranking | 54th | 30th |
| Group Stage Finish | 2nd, Group A | 2nd, Group B |
| World Cup Goals Scored | 2 | 8 |
| World Cup Goals Conceded | 3 | 3 |
| Knockout-Stage History | First ever | First ever |
Player Spotlight: Jonathan David
Jonathan David arrives in the knockout rounds as Canada’s talisman and the man South Africa must stop. The striker, who joined Juventus in 2025, is his country’s all-time leading scorer and underlined his importance with a hat-trick in the 6-0 rout of Qatar. A clever, clinical finisher who lives on the shoulder of the last defender, David gives Canada a cutting edge South Africa lacked in their own group games. Against a Bafana Bafana side that prides itself on organisation, his movement and finishing could be the difference between a place in the last 16 and an early flight home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is the favourite to win South Africa vs Canada?
A: Canada are favourites, at around 7/10 to win in 90 minutes and as short as 1/3 to qualify for the last 16. They finished above South Africa in the group stage, are ranked higher (30th to 54th) and have the in-form Jonathan David — but South Africa’s organisation makes them awkward opponents.
Q: What are the best betting odds for this match?
A: Our featured prices include Canada to win at 7/10 with Sky Bet, Under 2.5 Goals at 3/5 and Jonathan David to score anytime at 8/5, both with Paddy Power. Prices move closer to kick-off, so compare the latest across the leading World Cup betting sites.
Q: Where can I watch South Africa vs Canada in the UK?
A: UK coverage is free-to-air on the BBC or ITV (channel to be confirmed), with kick-off at 8:00pm BST on Sunday 28 June.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
This Round of 32 opener guarantees history for one side — neither South Africa nor Canada has ever reached a World Cup last 16. Canada’s superior attacking threat, led by the in-form Jonathan David, makes them favourites, but South Africa’s discipline and the knockout setting point to a tight, low-scoring affair. Our preferred angles are Canada to win and Under 2.5 Goals, with Jonathan David anytime scorer the pick in the goals markets. As always, confirm the teamsheets before betting. For more World Cup tips and the latest prices, compare the leading World Cup winner odds.
Disclaimer & Responsible Gambling
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