Canada and South Africa are preparing for Sunday's World Cup Round of 32 clash, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in California.
As bettors and fans search for the latest Canada vs South Africa lineups, the keyword for now is projected. Official starting lineups will not be confirmed until roughly 90 minutes before kickoff, but both teams have enough team news clues to build a reasonable expected XI.
Canada are expected to stay close to the structure Jesse Marsch has leaned on throughout the tournament, though Alphonso Davies remains the biggest lineup question. The Bayern Munich star could return from injury, while Moise Bombito is also a fitness concerns heading into the knockout rounds. Those decisions could influence World Cup picks, player props, and live trading markets throughout the match.
South Africa, meanwhile, should get Teboho Mokoena back from suspension, which is a massive midfield boost for Bafana Bafana. The bigger issue is the absence of Themba Zwane, who is suspended for this Round of 32 matchup and leaves South Africa without one of their most important attacking connectors.
- UPDATE: Canada and South Africa have not yet confirmed their starting lineups. The projected XIs below will be updated when official lineups are released around 90 minutes before kickoff.
Canada projected starting lineup vs South Africa
Canada projected XI (4-4-2): Maxime Crepeau; Alistair Johnston, Luc de Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea; Tajon Buchanan, Nathan Saliba, Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Millar; Jonathan David, Cyle Larin.
Canada are projected to line up in a 4-4-2 shape, with David and Larin leading the attack and Buchanan and Millar providing width. Eustaquio remains the key midfield organizer, while Saliba retains his place.
The biggest question is Davies. If he is cleared to start, Canada could reshuffle the left side, either by using him at left back or higher up the pitch. For now, Laryea and Millar make sense as the safer projected left-sided pairing, especially with Canada unlikely to take unnecessary fitness risks in a knockout match.
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South Africa projected starting lineup vs Canada
South Africa projected XI (4-2-3-1): Ronwen Williams; Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba; Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha; Thapelo Maseko, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis; Evidence Makgopa.
South Africa are projected to use a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Williams in goal and Mokoena returning to anchor midfield alongside Mbatha. That return matters. Mokoena gives Bafana Bafana more control, range, and ball-winning ability in the middle of the pitch.
With Zwane unavailable through suspension, South Africa need more from their younger attacking pieces. Mofokeng could be asked to handle the central creative role, with Maseko and Appollis stretching the field from wide areas and Makgopa leading the line.
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Betting impact of Canada vs South Africa projected lineups
Canada's projected lineup suggests Marsch will stick with a familiar approach rather than forcing major changes for the knockout stage. David remains the focal point up front, Buchanan gives Canada transition speed, and Eustaquio should be central to how the Canadians control possession.
The Davies question is the biggest swing factor. If he starts, Canada gain another ball-carrier and chance creator on the left side. If he remains on the bench, Canada's shape may be more stable but less explosive, which could matter for anytime scorer, assist, and team total markets.
South Africa's projected XI points toward a compact, counterattacking setup. Mokoena's return helps their midfield floor, but Zwane's suspension is a real attacking downgrade. That combination could push this match toward a more cautious game state, especially if Canada control territory and South Africa are content to defend deep and counter.
Players to watch
Jonathan David, Canada: David remains Canada's most important attacking player and should be central to anything they create in the final third. Against a South Africa side likely to sit compact, his movement between center backs and ability to finish limited chances make him the top Canadian goalscorer option.
Bet to watch: Jonathan David to score a goal (+186 at Kalshi)
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Canada vs South Africa lineups: Final Thoughts
Canada's projected starting lineup keeps the focus on David, Buchanan, Eustaquio, and the Davies fitness question. If Davies starts, Canada's ceiling rises. If he is held in reserve, Marsch still has enough attacking quality to control the match, but the left side becomes less dynamic.
South Africa's projected lineup is shaped by two major pieces of team news. Mokoena returning from suspension strengthens the midfield, but Zwane's absence removes a key creator from the attack. That tradeoff makes Bafana Bafana tougher through the middle but less polished in the final third.
For bettors, the key takeaway is simple: Canada's projected XI looks stable, while South Africa's has one major midfield boost and one major attacking loss. Until official lineups drop, that should keep attention on Canada advancement markets, David props, and Under angles tied to a cautious knockout-round setup.
