Predicted Lineups: Sunday 28 June, From Arrowhead to SoFi

Algeria v Austria

Algeria's attacking shape is the key question here: should Amoura be unavailable, Djamel Belmadi needs a direct replacement among a group that includes Benbouali, Ghedjemis, Boulbina, and Hadj-Moussa, and we expect Ghedjemis to take that slot on the left of the attack given his pace and ability to operate in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Algeria (4-2-3-1)

Austria (4-2-3-1)

Austria have no reported injuries and no reason to change a side that carried them into the group finale with wins on the board: Ralf Rangnick sticks with the same eleven.

The biggest selection doubt for Algeria is whether Ghedjemis can replicate the directness Amoura provides, while for Austria the x-factor remains whether Arnautovic can maintain the fitness levels required to lead the line for a full ninety minutes.

Jordan v Argentina

Jordan have lost every match in the 2026 tournament and carry a five-game losing run into this one, but their 3-4-2-1 structure has at least given them a defensive reference point, and we expect Nasser Al-Shammari's side to line up identically to their previous XI with the squad names aligned from the confirmed roster.

Jordan (3-4-2-1)

Argentina (4-4-2)

Argentina arrive on a five-game winning run and Lionel Scaloni has every reason to field his strongest XI, though the key debate is whether Messi comes back into the starting eleven after any rotation in previous fixtures. We expect Scaloni to go with his best side and bring Messi back in from the start, slotting him alongside Lautaro Martínez in the front two in a fluid 4-4-2 that doubles as a 4-2-3-1 off the ball.

The x-factor here is Messi: the brief notes Argentina's previous XI without him, but we think this match represents the right moment for Scaloni to bring him into the XI, and if he does the Jordan backline faces a genuinely different calibre of problem.

South Africa v Canada

This is the standout match of Sunday, a Round of 32 knockout tie where South Africa carry the momentum of a win in their last group outing and Canada are weakened by the absence of both Ismaël Koné and Akinola Jones from their midfield and defensive options.

With Themba Mokoena reported as a fitness doubt, that is a real potential blow to their midfield double pivot, and we expect Hugo Broos to bring in either Moremi or Sebelebele to partner Mbatha in holding midfield, with Sithole moving back up the pitch or staying wide. We opt for Moremi as the direct replacement in the base of the two.

South Africa (4-2-3-1)

Canada (4-4-2)

Canada lose Koné from central midfield and Jones from defensive cover, which forces Jesse Marsch to reshuffle. We expect Eustáquio to step into the base of midfield alongside a confirmed Canadian midfielder [NOTE: 'N. Saliba' could not be verified against the official Canadian squad roster and has been flagged for editorial review — please replace with the correct Canadian central midfielder], Osorio or Shaffelburg to fill the wide role vacated by the change, and Bombito to come in at right back to cover the defensive loss of Jones. [NOTE: 'D. Cornelius' could not be verified against the official Canadian squad roster and has been flagged for editorial review — please replace with the correct Canadian central defender] shifts to centre-back to maintain defensive solidity.

The biggest x-factor in this fixture is Alphonso Davies: operating as a genuine attacking left back against a South Africa side that defends with a compact mid-block, his ability to combine with Choinière down the left could be Canada's primary route to goal.

This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.