Canada vs South Africa World Cup 2026 is the match that kicks off the knockout stage today, Sunday 28 June 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kick-off is at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, which is midnight (12:00 AM PKT) on Monday 29 June for fans in Pakistan. This is a historic Round of 32 clash between two teams making their knockout debut at the men’s World Cup.
Canada vs South Africa World Cup 2026: Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Canada vs South Africa |
| Stage | Round of 32, FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Sunday, 28 June 2026 |
| Kick-off (Pakistan Time) | 12:00 AM PKT, Monday 29 June |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, USA |
| Winner Faces | Netherlands or Morocco (Round of 16) |
Why This Match Is So Special
This is not just a football game. Canada vs South Africa World Cup 2026 is a collision of two proud nations both playing in a World Cup knockout round for the very first time. Canada are one of three co-hosts of this tournament, and their fans have been dreaming of this moment for decades. South Africa, known as Bafana Bafana, have also never reached the knockout stage before, having gone out in the group stage at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
The winner of this tie will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the Round of 16. So the stakes could not be higher for both nations.
Canada: Form and Key Players
Canada finished second in Group B with four points. Their campaign had big highs and one painful low. They drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opener, then hammered Qatar 6-0, with Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick and Cyle Larin also getting on the scoresheet. However, they then lost 2-1 to Switzerland, which cost them top spot in the group.
The 6-0 win over Qatar also brought a dark moment. Midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg after a heavy challenge, and he will play no further part in this tournament. Coach Jesse Marsch will hope that David, Tajon Buchanan, and Stephen Eustaquio can carry Canada through today.
South Africa: Form and Key Players
South Africa had a tough start, losing 2-0 to hosts Mexico in their first match. But they bounced back well, drawing 1-1 with Czechia and then beating South Korea 1-0 in a pressure match in Monterrey. That win sealed second place in Group A for Bafana Bafana.
Thapelo Maseko scored the crucial winner against South Korea with a low finish after the South Africans stayed compact and patient. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been solid throughout. Coach Hugo Broos has built a disciplined, defensively organised side that is hard to break down and dangerous on the counter-attack.
Head to Head
Canada and South Africa have very rarely met at international level. There is no significant head-to-head record between the two sides in major tournaments. This is genuinely new ground for both nations, which makes the match even harder to call.
Predicted Lineups
Canada (Expected)
- GK: Milan Borjan
- DEF: Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies
- MID: Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Fraser
- ATT: Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea
South Africa (Expected)
- GK: Ronwen Williams
- DEF: Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Maphosa Modiba
- MID: Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole
- ATT: Thapelo Maseko, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa
Canada vs South Africa World Cup 2026: Prediction
Canada have the edge at home in front of a passionate crowd at SoFi Stadium, and their attack, led by Jonathan David, is the most dangerous in this tie. South Africa will sit deep and try to frustrate Canada before hitting on the break. If Canada are patient and use their width well, they should have enough to win. But do not write off Bafana Bafana. They have proved everyone wrong before at this tournament.
Prediction: Canada 2-1 South Africa (after extra time if needed)
What Comes Next in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32
The knockout stage is now fully under way. Here is a look at the upcoming Round of 32 schedule after today’s opener:
| Date (PKT) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun, 12:00 AM | Canada vs South Africa | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
| 29 Jun, 11:00 PM | Brazil vs Japan | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 30 Jun, 2:30 AM | Germany vs Paraguay | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 30 Jun, 7:00 AM | Netherlands vs Morocco | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
| 1 Jul, 11:00 PM | Ivory Coast vs Norway | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 2 Jul, 3:00 AM | France vs Sweden | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 2 Jul, 7:00 AM | Mexico vs Ecuador | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| 3 Jul, 12:00 AM | England vs Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
Tournament Background
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest edition in history. For the first time, 48 teams took part, divided into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advanced to a brand-new Round of 32. The tournament is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities, with the final set for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Canada vs South Africa in Pakistan time?
Canada vs South Africa in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 kicks off at 12:00 AM Pakistan Standard Time (PKT) on Monday, 29 June 2026. In the USA, that is 3:00 PM Eastern Time on Sunday 28 June.
Where is Canada vs South Africa being played?
The match is being played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, USA. It is the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
Has Canada ever reached the World Cup knockout stage before?
No. This is Canada’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup knockout round in the men’s game. South Africa have also never played a World Cup knockout match before, making this a historic fixture for both nations.
Who does the winner of Canada vs South Africa face next?
The winner will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the Round of 16. That match is scheduled for 4 July 2026 in Houston.
