Story perspectives

Canada Favored 80% to Beat South Africa in R32

6/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Canada faces South Africa in the Round of 32 on June 28 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, with bookmakers favoring Canada.
Coach Jesse Marsch confirmed captain Alphonso Davies will play, adding firepower to Canada’s attack.
Jonathan David and Cyle Larin have scored five of Canada’s eight group-stage goals, showing depth.
Betting sites give South Africa a 19.1% win chance, while analysts expect a 2-0 Canadian win despite the South African defense’s low scoring.

History

Historical Context

After apartheid ended, South Africa rejoined FIFA in 1992, won AFCON 1996, and debuted at the 1998 World Cup in France, earning a solitary point. A 16-year World Cup absence ended when they qualified for 2026, topped their group and will meet Canada in the round of 32 at Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium.

1 of 2

Story summary

Canada faces South Africa in the Round of 32 on June 28 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, with bookmakers favoring Canada.
Coach Jesse Marsch confirmed captain Alphonso Davies will play, adding firepower to Canada’s attack.
Jonathan David and Cyle Larin have scored five of Canada’s eight group-stage goals, showing depth.
Betting sites give South Africa a 19.1% win chance, while analysts expect a 2-0 Canadian win despite the South African defense’s low scoring.

1 / 2