South Africa vs. Canada Prediction, Picks, Lineups for World Cup 2026

The group stage has officially come to a conclusion, and all Round of 32 matches are set. The knockout round begins later today, with South Africa taking on another host nation, Canada, in the first knockout-round match of the 2026 World Cup.

South Africa vs. Canada kicks off at 3 p.m. ET in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, televised by FOX. According to PrizePicks Team Picks, Canada is the favorite with a 1.58x payout to win.

Below, we’ll break down our South Africa vs. Canada prediction and picks for Sunday afternoon’s World Cup 2026 match, including the spread, total goals, and key player picks for PrizePicks.

Make your South Africa vs. Canada prediction and World Cup picks on PrizePicks now!

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South Africa vs. Canada World Cup 2026 Prediction, Spread, Over/Under – Sunday, June 28

How to watch South Africa vs. Canada: FOX (English) | Telemundo (Spanish)

Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET

Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Both South Africa and Canada have qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history. The two squads finished in second place in Groups A and B, guaranteeing qualification to the knockout stage under FIFA’s current structure.

Despite being one of the three host nations, Canada will not have home-field advantage in its first knockout match because it failed to win Group B.

After a nightmare start to the 2026 World Cup, losing in the opener, South Africa managed to pick up two big results en route to qualification. The African side defeated South Korea on the final matchday of Group A to secure their spot in the Round of 32.

Hugo Broos' defensive approach will now face its biggest test, with draws no longer an option in the knockout stage. We should see a bit more aggression from South Africa, although making the game cagey and attempting to drag Canada into a penalty shootout will certainly be in the cards.

On the other hand, Canada will look to continue building on its solid Group B showing, winning one game, drawing another, and losing the final game of group play to the eventual group leaders, Switzerland.

Despite not finishing atop the group, Canada finished with the most goals scored (8) in Group B, with the majority coming in a 6-0 win vs. Qatar on Matchday 2. Even so, Canada’s attack has shown great promise up to this point, and breaking down South Africa’s stern defense is certainly in the cards for Jesse Marsch’s team later this afternoon.

South Africa vs. Canada: Favorite to Win, Spread, Total Goals – Sunday, June 28

Canada enters Sunday’s game as the favorites, returning a 1.58x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.

Meanwhile, South Africa will look to continue playing the way that got it to the Round of 32, with slow, grind-it-out contests that may see limited chances in the hope of achieving a result. 

Canada’s Group B performances should give its fans plenty to look forward to as the Canucks look to continue their longest run in the competition. Marsch’s side managed to score in every game and will likely generate enough chances today to keep South Africa on the ropes until they find the back of the net.

Here are the full payouts for the South Africa vs. Canada match on PrizePicks.

Winner Payout: South Africa – 5x | Tie – 3.33x | Canada – 1.58x

Spread: Canada -1.5 (2.77x Payout) 

Total Goals: 2.5 (Over – 2.12x)

Both Teams to Score: Yes 1.96x | No 1.78x

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.

Make your South Africa vs. Canada prediction on spread or goals on PrizePicks Team Picks — available in 35 states!

South Africa vs. Canada Prediction on Total Goals for World Cup 2026 

Here are the key stats and trends for South Africa vs. Canada before making your World Cup 2026 predictions on PrizePicks.

• Based on PrizePicks payouts for 2.5 total goals, we can expect a low-scoring affair between South Africa and Canada. South Africa generated just 0.7 big chances per game with only 3.3 shots on target per match during group play.
• South Africa had a total of 2.61 xG across all group-stage games. Broos’ side scored just 2 goals, underperforming by 0.61 xG.
• Canada averaged the second-most shots on target per game (7) and tied for the second-most goals scored up to this point (8). Only five of 48 teams scored fewer goals than South Africa (2) during the group stage.
• Both Canada and South Africa have conceded 3 goals to date. South Africa averaged under 45% possession and faced 12.7 total shots per match. Canada was much better at keeping the ball, with 61.7% possession, and faced just 5.3 total shots per game during the group stage. 
• Canada’s primary weapon in its attack has been winning corners. No team has taken more corners (35) than Canada or averages more accurate crosses (8 per game) than Marsch’s side, who will look to continue the trend today.

Lock in your South Africa vs. Canada prediction for the 2026 World Cup now!

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South Africa vs. Canada Lineups for World Cup 2026 – Sunday, June 28

Here are the projected South Africa vs. Canada lineups for today's World Cup match. Lineups are not official and are based on historical data.

South Africa Lineup vs. Canada Today

Projected Formation: 4-2-3-1

• Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams
• Defense: Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba
• Midfield: Thalente Mbatha, Teboho Mokoena, Relebohile Mofokeng
• Forwards: Thapelo Maseko, Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa

Canada Lineup vs. South Africa Today

Projected Formation: 4-4-2

• Goalkeeper: Maxime Crépeau
• Defense: Alistair Johnston, Luc de Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea
• Midfield: Tajon Buchanan, Stéphan Eustáquio, Nathan-Dylan Saliba, Ali Ahmed
• Forwards: Jonathan David, Cyle Larin

South Africa vs. Canada Picks, Player Stats for World Cup: 6/28/26

PrizePicks is adding to the hype, offering a special World Cup discount on Canada striker Jonathan David's passes attempted, dropping his 24.5 projection to 17.5 for today's match vs. South Africa for a limited time.

Here are the top South Africa vs. Canada player picks to target on PrizePicks for Sunday, June 28. Today’s World Cup 2026 picks are headlined by Nathan Saliba, Richie Laryea, and Ronwen Williams.

Canada MF Nathan Saliba Pick vs. South Africa 

Nathan Saliba Projections via PrizePicks: 0.5 Shots (Goblin), 0.5 Goal + Assist (Demon), 0.5 Fouls Drawn (Goblin)

• Nathan Saliba has had to take on a much bigger role after Ismaël Koné’s devastating injury during Matchday 2. Saliba came on as a replacement in that match and earned his first career start on Matchday 3.
• He has taken a total of 3 shots in 123 minutes of play across two matches. With his increase in minutes and ability to take free kicks, 1 shot is certainly well within reach for the 22-year-old.
• Despite not playing at all in the first game, Saliba ranks second among Canadian players in G/A at the 2026 World Cup. The RSC Anderlecht star picked up a sweet free-kick goal and an assist in his World Cup debut and another assist in Canada’s most recent match. Saliba is a candidate to help Canada beat South Africa today with a goal contribution.
• Saliba has yet to be fouled in his limited minutes at the World Cup. He now faces a side that averages 9.3 fouls per game and has the second most bookings in the competition. South Africa plays an aggressive style of defense, and Saliba is likely to be a victim of it today.

Combine Canada + Nathan-Dylan Saliba World Cup picks for bigger payouts on PrizePicks

Canada LB Richie Laryea vs. South Africa 

Richie Laryea Projections via PrizePicks: 40.5 Passes Attempted, 0.5 Shots Assisted (Goblin), 0.5 Shots (Goblin)

• Richie Laryea has been forced to start every game for Canada at the World Cup, with Alphonso Davies still dealing with a hamstring injury. With his side dominating possession during the group stage, Laryea averaged 43.0 passes attempted per game. With South Africa playing all men behind the ball, Laryea should have plenty of attempts as Canada looks to build up to penetrate the low block.
• Laryea has had 5 key passes up to this point, playing from his left back position. Marsch's system generally funnels the ball into the two strikers at the top of the formation. Laryea has shown a knack for overlapping down the right wing and picking out passes inside or on the edge of the box to a willing teammate.
• The veteran defender has taken just 2 shots throughout the group stage but is certainly in contention to have 1 or multiple later today.
• As we mentioned, South Africa has invited opponents to have as much of the ball as they please, as long as it is not deep into the final third. Expect Laryea and the other Canadian defenders to try their luck from way outside a few times in this match.

Combine Canada + Richie Laryea World Cup picks for bigger payouts on PrizePicks

South Africa GK Ronwen Williams vs. Canada 

Ronwen Williams Projections via PrizePicks: 3 Goalie Saves, 1.5 Goals Allowed, 37.5 Passes Attempted

• Ronwen Williams has turned things around after a rough showing in the opener against Mexico. The South African native made just 2 saves in each of his first three World Cup matches but may be in store for more later this afternoon.
• As mentioned, only two teams averaged more shots on target per game than Canada, meaning Williams is likely to face several savable shots.
• Apart from the World Cup opener, Williams has allowed under 1.5 goals in the final two matches of group play. It is worth noting that South Africa was playing with 10 men when the second goal was scored in that match. Broos’ side has limited real chances against its opponents, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Canada couldn't score multiple goals during the first 90 minutes of regular time.
• Williams has surpassed 36.5 passes attempted in all three games heading into this afternoon. South Africa is averaging 10 goal kicks per game, which adds to his pass attempts, but they also trust the 34-year-old to try and distribute via the long ball or play from out the back when in possession.

Combine South Africa + Ronwen Williams World Cup picks for bigger payouts on PrizePicks

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Make Your South Africa vs. Canada Prediction on PrizePicks

Will South Africa's defensive approach hold up in the knockout stage? Or will Canada continue its best-ever World Cup run and advance to the Round of 16 at World Cup 2026? 

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