South Africa and Canada are set to meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 32, in a tie that carries enormous significance for both sides. The match kicks off at 8:00pm BST / 3:00pm ET in Los Angeles — not Vancouver, where Canada had hoped to enjoy home support.

Canada's missed opportunity at home

Jesse Marsch's side needed only a point against Switzerland to top Group B, but a passive display left them short. Now Canada must shake off that disappointment and raise their intensity against a South Africa side that has grown stronger with every passing game.

Canada do, however, carry a potent attacking threat. Jonathan David, the Juventus striker, announced himself on the global stage with a hat-trick in a 6-0 demolition of Qatar. His movement and finishing are elite, and at 26 he may never face a more favourable opportunity to reach the last 16 of a World Cup.

Bafana Bafana's remarkable turnaround

Few would have predicted South Africa's progress after a dismal 2-0 opening defeat to Mexico. Hugo Broos' side steadied themselves with a 1-1 draw against Czechia before producing a disciplined, energetic performance to beat South Korea 1-0 and seal their place in the knockout rounds — a first in the nation's World Cup history.

The winner against South Korea came with a touch of fortune, deflecting through the legs of defender Jens Castrop to leave the goalkeeper unsighted. South Africa had 13 shots in that match but only four on target, and Broos will demand greater clinical efficiency from his forwards if they are to go further.

One player to watch is Relebohile Mofokeng, the 21-year-old Orlando Pirates forward who has caught the eye throughout the tournament.

How to watch

The match is available free-to-air on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK, with coverage from 7:15pm BST. Australian viewers can catch it for free on SBS On Demand, while Irish fans can tune in via RTÉ Player. In the United States, the game is broadcast on Fox, accessible through Fox One, YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Fubo, Sling, or DirecTV.

Other free-to-air options include CazéTV on YouTube in Brazil, NOS in the Netherlands, RTBF/VRT in Belgium, SRF/RTS/RSI in Switzerland, and TRT in Turkey.

Match preview and prediction

Ranked 22 places above South Africa in the world rankings, Canada enter as favourites. Yet Bafana Bafana have defied expectations at every turn and will believe they can do so again. South Africa must tighten their defence and convert more of their chances; Canada must recapture the tempo and directness that was missing against Switzerland.

FourFourTwo predicts Canada to edge a close contest — South Africa 1-2 Canada — with David likely to be the decisive figure.