World Cup 2026: South Africa vs. Canada Predictions

South Africa vs. Canada Overview and Latest Odds

According to the latest World Cup odds, Canada is the favorite to triumph in the first round of 32 match of the tournament, as the co-host continues its campaign in California. 

• Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, USA.

• Date & Time: Sunday, June 28, 3:00 PM ET

• US Broadcast: FOX Sports

For readers in states where conventional sports betting is still unavailable, regulated prediction market apps in US offer a legal alternative. These apps enable users to trade on event outcomes while benefiting from highly accurate, market-driven forecasts.

Expert Betting Predictions and Best Bets for South Africa vs. Canada

Below are our three top tips for South Africa vs. Canada, including two straight bets and one same game parlay.

• Canada to Qualify

Canada has played pretty well at the World Cup so far. It may have lost 2-1 to Switzerland in its final Group B game, but it took more shots and registered a higher xG than its European opponent. It will not have home advantage against South Africa, but Canada is more potent in the final third than Bafana Bafana, as evidenced by its goal tally of eight in the group stage. Canada is poised to become the first team to reach the round of 16 by beating South Africa, whether it is after 90 minutes, extra time, or a penalty shoot-out.

• South Africa Under 0.5 Goals

South Africa improved as the group stage wore on. In the circumstances, its 1-0 victory over South Korea on Wednesday must go down as one of the country’s greatest ever results on the soccer field. But it only scored one goal from open play in its three Group A matches. South Africa lacks bite in attack, and while it is capable of putting together some neat plays, it is often let down by a substandard final ball. Canada has kept seven clean sheets in its last 11 games; another is on the cards here.

• Canada to Win and Jonathan David to Score Anytime

Jonathan David was not at his best in Canada’s clash with Switzerland, but he showed his quality by scoring twice in the 6-0 thumping of Qatar before that. Cyle Larin might be Canada’s all-time leading goalscorer, but David is the best finisher in Jesse Marsch’s roster. South Africa will defend deep and pack players behind the ball, so Canada will need someone who can find a pocket of space in and around the penalty area, then hold their nerve when the ball arrives at their feet. David is the man for the job.

South Africa Betting Preview

South Africa is through to the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time ever, and it did not even rely on the new route into it via a third-place finish. After losing 2-0 to Mexico in the opening game of the tournament, South Africa came from behind to draw 1-1 with Czechia, before a 1-0 victory over South Korea in a must-win clash on matchday three sealed its spot in the round of 32.

As ever, South Africa has played some tidy soccer this summer. However, up until the second half of the tie with Czechia, it seemed to lack belief - especially once it had moved the ball into the final third. South Africa did improve in that regard, but it only scored twice in one of the weakest groups of the competition, and one of those goals was a penalty.

It defended pretty well against South Korea, though, and there is no doubting the heart and spirit of this team. Anything South Africa achieves from this point on is an unexpected bonus, and that makes it a potentially dangerous opponent for Canada. 

Canada Betting Preview

Like South Africa, Canada has also made history by reaching the World Cup knockout phase for the first time. The only source of disappointment so far was a 2-1 defeat by Switzerland last time out. Had it tied or won that game, Canada would have continued its campaign on home soil. But a loss to the European nation has sent Jesse Marsch’s men down to the USA for the round of 32, a more difficult path that has caused a slight adjustment in the Canada odds to win World Cup markets.

Canada had the majority of possession against Bosnia & Herzegovina (a 1-1 tie) and Qatar (a 6-0 win), but Switzerland controlled the ball on Wednesday. It took a while for Canada to adjust to that reality, but as the favorite, the onus will be back on it for the game against South Africa. Marsch must ensure his team plays at a high tempo with and without the ball.

Canada’s defeat by Switzerland was its first loss in 11 games, so the Reds are still in good form despite that setback. Canadians are hoping to see Alphonso Davies in the starting XI for the round of 32, but it looks like the Bayern Munich man will begin this match on the bench again due to a lack of match fitness.

How South Africa and Canada Match Up Against Each Other

South Africa and Canada have only played each other once before. A friendly in 2007 saw South Africa triumph 2-0 courtesy of two goals from Tsholofelo Modise. Needless to say, plenty has changed for both nations since then, so we cannot read anything of note into that meeting almost 20 years ago.

Canada has lost home advantage, and South Africa, as the underdog, will attract plenty of support inside the stadium. Still, Canada’s high press will cause problems for South Africa, which conceded a goal against Mexico after being caught trying to play out from the back.

South Africa is a technically competent team, but it can struggle when it is put under pressure. Canada has more energy and dynamism in its ranks, which is likely to swing this tie in its favor. South Africa has done brilliantly to reach this stage of the World Cup, but Canada is in a better position to advance to the round of 16.