First R32 whistle: South Africa-Canada XIs revealed

The starting XIs for the first Round of 32 game at the 2026 World Cup, between South Africa and Canada, have been confirmed. The match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will be the first whistle of the tournament's last-32 stage. Both nations are playing a World Cup knockout match for the first time in their history; Canada, meanwhile, make history by playing this match outside their own borders, in the United States, despite being one of the hosts.

Hugo Broos' South Africa line up in a 4-2-3-1. Captain Ronwen Williams starts in goal. In midfield, Teboho Mokoena, back after serving a suspension, is an important boost, while up front Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Maseko support lone striker Evidence Makgopa. Themba Zwane, suspended after a red card, is absent.

Jesse Marsch's Canada set up in a 4-4-2. The most striking call comes in attack: instead of the expected Jonathan David-Cyle Larin pairing, Tani Oluwaseyi starts alongside David, with the experienced Larin dropping to the bench. Moïse Bombito, having passed a fitness test, starts in central defence, while star Alphonso Davies, yet to feature at the tournament due to a hamstring injury, is among the substitutes.

Canada, the bookmakers' favourites, beat Qatar 6-0 on their way out of the group, with Jonathan David's hat-trick in that game the first by a player from a host nation since Geoff Hurst in 1966. South Africa, for their part, beat South Korea 1-0 to reach the last 32 for the first time in their history, with the winner scored by 22-year-old Maseko. The winners will face the victor of Netherlands-Morocco in the Round of 16. Here are the two starting XIs:

🇿🇦 South Africa (4-2-3-1): Williams (GK); Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Appollis, Mofokeng, Maseko; Makgopa. Coach: Hugo Broos
🇨🇦 Canada (4-4-2): Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Millar; David, Oluwaseyi. Coach: Jesse Marsch

Image: The Sporting News