Canada has reached its first World Cup knockout stage in Les Rouges history. Manager Jesse Marsch’s team has improved its form since the start of Group B play, scoring a massive 6-0 win over Qatar that punched an early ticket to the Round of 32. Canada’s next match will begin the knockout phase of World Cup 2026.
Canada faces South Africa in today’s knockout bout, set to begin in Inglewood, California, at 3:00 p.m. ET. South Africa vs. Canada will determine who will face the winner of Morocco vs. Netherlands, either of which would make a tough Round-of-16 draw for either of today’s foes at Los Angeles Stadium.
What are Canada’s potential opponents in the knockout stage? Let’s peek at which nations Canada would encounter on a Cinderella’s trek to the World Cup Final, featuring projections from PrizePicks Team Picks.
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Note: Within this article, we’ll use the WorldCup2026Predictions.app to show the most likely opponents for Canada in each round.
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Who Will Canada Play in the Round of 32?
Date, Kickoff Time: Sunday, June 28, 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium), Inglewood, California
Opponent: South Africa
Winner Payout: South Africa 5x | Tie 3.33x | Canada 1.58x
Spread: Canada -1.5 (2.85x payout)
Total: 2.5 (Over - 2.17x | Under - 1.63x)
Bafana Bafana is just as new to the World Cup knockout scenario as Les Rouges, having outplayed predictions by beating South Korea 1-0 on June 24 to finish second in Group A. South Africa is considered a long shot in knockout-round predictions, though it didn’t back into the bracket with a loss like Canada's blunder vs. Switzerland.
South Africa vs. Canada may be a cat-and-mouse game of nimble Bafana Bafana backs versus Canada’s dogged forwards. Striker Jonathan David isn’t just scoring for Canada; he’s aggressively pressing and forcing turnovers.
South Africa RB Khuliso Mudau leads 2026 World Cup defenders with 30 forced turnovers.
Canada is the PrizePicks favorite with a 1.58x payout to win vs. South Africa on Sunday afternoon.
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Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.
Round of 16: Canada and Holland Could Collide
Date, Kickoff Time: Saturday, July 4, 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium), Houston, Texas
Canada to Qualify for World Cup Round of 16: Yes 1.29x | No 3.33x
Potential Opponent: Netherlands (55%)
As seen in our printable bracket for the World Cup, the Netherlands would be Canada’s most probable foe if Les Rouges advance to the Round of 16, with a 55% chance of advancing past Morocco, per World Cup Predictions.
The keep-away passing game of Holland’s midfielders would not bother Canada’s forwards if the matchup takes place in Houston on July 4. Canada has shown speed, persistence, and depth while pressuring opposing attacks at a watershed rate. However, the Dutch will still likely be favored to win the contest.
Quarterfinals: Les Bleus Lurk as Next Likely Hurdle
Date, Kickoff Time: Thursday, July 9, at 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium (Boston Stadium) in Foxborough, Massachusetts
Canada to Qualify for World Cup Quarterfinals: Yes 4.54x | No 1.17x
Potential Opponent: France (73%)
France is forecasted as the most likely opponent in what would be Canada’s quarterfinal fixture on July 9. It’s notable that Germany is given only a 21% chance to surpass France and reach Boston Stadium.
Les Bleus would make a Goliath against Canada’s “David,” and we’re not talking about Jonathan David. France has made a habit of reaching the World Cup finals and would relish a quarterfinal against a Cinderella team. Les Bleus romped Group I’s slate with a +8 goal differential.
Is France susceptible to a press from opposing forwards? Many of France’s footballers are experienced at PSG, which pressed Inter Milan into the ground in the 2024-25 Champions League Final. Canada, rated 14th among qualified teams in forced turnovers, could give the French a dose of their own medicine.
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Semifinals: Spain and Canada in Jerry World?
Date, Kickoff Time: Tuesday, July 14, at 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium) in Arlington, Texas
Canada to Qualify for World Cup Semifinals: Yes 14.28x | No 1.02x
Potential Opponent: Spain (31%)
Let’s say the impossible happens, and Canada advances through France in a coup for CONCACAF over UEFA. Spain is the number crunchers’ leading prediction to reach the semifinals against Canada, featured in a kickoff at a venue that bears three names — AT&T Stadium, Dallas Stadium, and Jerry World.
Canada’s semifinal could also be against the USA. It would only occur if the United States upsets Spain in the quarterfinals, but what a spectacle the semifinal would be! North America’s hosts would be guaranteed one slot in the finals. Canada and the USA would transfer a fierce ice hockey rivalry to the soccer pitch.
Les Rouges would have to change tactics against Spain, which employs a Tiki-Taka style of passing that would wear Canada’s footballers out if the underdogs did not sit back and defend via zone. Spain leads World Cup 2026 in passes and passing accuracy following the group stage.
World Cup Final: Argentina’s Chance to Defend Title on July 19
Date, Kickoff Time: Sunday, July 19, at 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Canada to Qualify for World Cup Final: Yes 22.22x
Canada to Win World Cup: Yes 33.33x
Potential Opponent: Argentina (12%)
Argentina’s status as Canada’s statistically “likely” final opponent, at just 12% probability, shows how many contenders are in the 2026 bracket. If Canada should ink miraculous upsets to arrive in July 19’s final, it could win North America’s first title in an event dominated by Europe and South America.
CONMEBOL didn’t have the best group stage as a whole, making teams like the defending champion Argentina seem a tad more human. Lionel Messi, however, is not of this world. The GOAT of the Beautiful Game scored Argentina’s first 5 goals of the group stage, at an age at which Pele was retired from FIFA.
Canada would be a drastic underdog in PrizePicks predictions for New Jersey’s finale. But if a North American host goes all the way, they’ll earn their continent a whole new level of respect.
Backing Canada to go all the way? Place your World Cup 2026 prediction on PrizePicks!
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Make Your Canada World Cup Predictions on PrizePicks
Canada backed into the Round of 32 with a loss to Switzerland, but Les Rouges are confident in having their best World Cup squad ever. Who would Canada be likely to face on a run for the hardware?
You can make your World Cup predictions on how far Canada or other teams will advance in the knockout stage on PrizePicks Team Picks — available in 35 states!
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily World Cup 2026 predictions, picks, news, and analysis through the World Cup Final.
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