N. Saliba
Anderlecht · UEFA Europa Conference League · Midfielder · #13 · Canada · 21 yrs
N. Saliba news
South Africa vs Canada: Confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 game
Despite their defeat to Switzerland, Canada managed to reach the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. There, they will face South Africa, looking for a convincing victory. With this in mind, both sides are expected to have a competitive clash. Here are the confirmed lineups for both sides. Even though they lost the top spot in their group to Switzerland, Canada secured their place in the knockout stage for the first time in their history. There, they will face South Africa, one of the most defensively solid teams at the 2026 World Cup. With this in mind, fans are keeping a close eye on Alphonso Davies‘ availability, as he has yet to make his tournament debut and could be key in attack. Canada have shined as one of the most consistent national teams. While imposing an offensive approach, they also shine in defensive task. To chase the victory, Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar are set to be key to break the defensive line. Moreover, Jonathan David will also play a huge role, opening gaps within the centerbacks and chasing the goal. While Alphonso Davies is the main star of Canada, he has yet to make his debut at the 2026 World Cup. After suffering a hamstring injury at the beginning of May, he has been recovering, missing the entire group stage. Jesse Marsch has made it clear that he will be available to have some minutes, but he will start from bench. With this, he will look to avoid relapses on his injury. Without being a particularly impressive attacking team, South Africa reached the knockout stage by prioritizing defensive consistency. Therefore, Hugo Broos is expected to stick with his two defensive lines. However, their counterattacks are very dangerous, as they are capable of forcing defensive mistakes from their opponents. Without a striker in top form, they could instead shine through their aerial game, where several players can shine. Cyle Larin #9 of Canada celebrates with Promise David #24 after scoring a goal. South Africa confirmed lineup vs Canada South Africa are looking to upset Canada with a more conservative approach. Head coach Hugo Broos will be without Themba Zwane due to the red card he received in the opening match against Mexico. However, he will keep a similar lineup that helped them shine against South Korea, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi leading the defensive line. In addition, Thapelo Maseko will once again have the task of making the difference in front of goal. With this in mind, South Africa will play as follows: Ronwen Williams; Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba; Yaya Sithole, Teboho Mokoena; Thapelo Maseko, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis; Evidence Makgopa. Canada confirmed lineup vs South Africa Canada have proven to be one of the most consistent teams at the 2026 World Cup. Relying on an attacking approach, head coach Jesse Marsch has excelled in every aspect, as his team have also been solid defensively. Therefore, they will bet on a similar lineup, looking to dominate the match and impose their goalscoring threat. In addition, Alphonso Davies could be a key impact substitute. Considering this, Canada will lineup as follows: Maxime Crépeau; Alistair Johnston, Luc De Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea; Tajon Buchanan, Stephen Eustáquio, Nathan-Dylan Saliba, Liam Millar; Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi.
Is Alphonso Davis playing? Switzerland vs Canada confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group B game
After their convincing victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland face Canada looking to secure their place in the Round of 32. For this, fans are closely monitoring the status of Alphonso Davies, as he could be the difference-maker in breaking down the opposing defense. Despite their disappointing debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada secured a victory over Qatar, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup alive. To determine that, they face Switzerland in a match that will decide both the group leadership and their future in the competition. With this in mind, fans are closely monitoring Alphonso Davies’ status for the game, as his presence could be a difference-maker. Alphonso Davies has yet to make his debut at the 2026 World Cup, as he is recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in early May while playing for Bayern Munich. Despite his importance to Canada, head coach Jesse Marsch has decided not to rush his recovery, prioritizing his fitness for the knockout stages. However, he has revealed that the 25-year-old star is available and stated that he will not start against Switzerland. “He’s been training with the team the whole week, he will not start but he will be able to play… I would say that we will evaluate what of him in the game. I would like to get him into the match for sure and I think that he can have a big impact… Mentally, to have him back, our captain and best player back in the team is a big factor,” revealed Jesse March in the press conference. Far from being a simple matchup, Switzerland could greatly complicate Canada‘s ambitions. By dominating the midfield and being very quick on the counterattack, they could prove decisive. To achieve this, head coach Murat Yakin will keep Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler as the core of the midfield, while Breel Embolo will lead the scoring department. In addition, Gregor Kobel could be a difference-maker in the goalkeeper spot, limiting Jesse Marsch’s team. Cyle Larin #9 of Canada celebrating. Canada confirmed lineup vs Switzerland Under Jesse Marsch, Canada have arrived at the 2026 World Cup with momentum, proving to be quite efficient. With a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina and a victory over Qatar, they still dream of reaching the Round of 32. After recovering Alphonso Davies as an option from the bench, they could keep the same lineup that helped them shine. For this, Jonathan David will be the focal point of the attack. Considering this, Canada will play as follows: Maxime Crépeau; Alistair Johnston, Luc De Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea; Tajon Buchanan, Mathieu Choiniere, Nathan-Dylan Saliba, Ali Ahmed; Jonathan David, Cyle Larin. Switzerland confirmed lineup vs Canada Switzerland have remained one of the most solid teams at the 2026 World Cup. Although their draw against Qatar raised some doubts, they managed to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following that result, head coach Murat Yakin will keep a similar lineup, relying on a strong midfield to control the tempo of the game. However, all eyes are on Breel Embolo, who need to be clinical in front of goal. With this in mind, Switzerland will lineup as follows: Gregor Kobel; Luca Jaquez, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Djibril Sow, Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler; Johan Manzambi; Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo.
2026 World Cup Group B standings: Updated table after Canada’s victory over Qatar
Canada claimed a crushing 6-0 win against Qatar, earning a great position in Group B of the 2026 World Cup. Canada secured its first-ever victory in men’s World Cup history on Matchday 2, routing Qatar 6-0 in front of a capacity crowd at BC Place in Vancouver. While the dominant performance propelled Jesse Marsch’s squad to the top of the Group B standings, the team still has crucial details to finalize heading into their group-stage finale. The Canadians entered the critical Matchday 2 fixture after opening their tournament with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exact same result Qatar recorded in its debut. With a victory guaranteed to put either nation in a prime position to advance, Les Rouges emphatically seized the moment on home soil. Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Jonathan David added goals in the 29th and first-half stoppage time, while Qatar’s Homam Al-Amin received a straight red card to leave his side short-handed. Despite a concerning injury to midfielder Ismael Kone, Canada extended their lead through Nathan-Dylan Saliba and a Mohamed Naceur Almanai own goal before David completed his hat trick in the final minutes. How do the 2026 World Cup Group B standings look after Canada’s win? The lopsided victory officially moves Canada into first place in Group B, leaving them level with Switzerland at four points apiece at the top of the table. Conversely, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar find themselves anchored to the bottom of the group with just one point each following an opening draw and a Matchday 2 defeat. 2026 World Cup Group B standings. While knockout-stage qualification remains mathematically undecided, the six-goal explosion provides Les Rouges with a massive advantage in overall goal difference, where they currently sit at +6. This goal cushion places them ahead of second-place Switzerland at +3, while Bosnia (-3) and Qatar (-6) face a steep uphill battle to rescue their respective tournament lives. What’s next in Group B Matchday 3 will feature a high-stakes showdown between Canada and Switzerland on June 24 to directly determine who wins the group. Simultaneously, Bosnia and Herzegovina will clash with Qatar at Lumen Field in Seattle, a fixture that could still vault either nation into the Round of 32 depending on external scorelines. Because Canada and Switzerland both sit comfortably at the top of the table with four points, a draw in their final match would automatically send both nations through to the knockout stage regardless of the other game’s outcome. A tie would push both teams to five total points, keeping them completely out of reach from the bottom two teams, who can only max out at four points. However, if either Canada or Switzerland claims a decisive victory, the losing side will be left vulnerable to the winner of the Bosnia-Qatar match. Should two teams finish level on four points for the final qualification spot, FIFA tiebreaker rules state that head-to-head points will serve as the primary differentiator, followed immediately by goal difference and total goals scored within those specific matchups.
