Canada vs USA Preview & Prediction | 2026 Pacific Nations Cup | Third Place Match
by Trystan Pugh ·
Updated
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
There will be no shortage of motivation here as North American rivals Canada and USA fight for third place in the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – Not available / USA – Paramount+
Canada team news
Squad: 1 Sam Miller, 2 Foster DeWitt, 3 Kyle Steeves, 4 Daragh Doyle, 5 Izzak Kelly, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Ethan Fryer, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Jesse Kilgour, 10 Cooper Coats, 11 Jamie Armstrong, 12 Ben LeSage, 13 Jacob Ince, 14 Kyle Tremblay, 15 Takoda McMullin
Replacements: 16 Dewald Kotze, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Bryce Worden, 19 Barnaby Waddell, 20 Cody Nhanala, 21 Stephen Webb, 22 Spencer Jones, 23 Liam James
USA team news
Squad: 1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Shilo Klein, 3 Tonga Kofe, 4 Jason Damm (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Lance Williams, 8 Makeen Alikhan, 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Noah Brown, 12 Cassh Maluia, 13 Dom Besag, 14 Julian Roberts, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Payton Telea-Ilalio, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Sam Golla, 20 Benjamín Bonasso, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Chris Hilsenbeck, 23 Tavite Lopeti
Canada vs USA prediction
There were plenty of positives in Canada's 45-29 defeat to defending Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji last weekend, as despite conceding three tries inside the first 25 minutes, the Maple Leafs refused to give in and made it a competitive contest right until the final whistle.
Captain Lucas Rumball was particularly impressive for the Canadians and he could be one of the difference-makers in this clash against their North American rivals.
USA did not fare as well in their respective semi-final against Japan, with Scott Lawrence's side completely outclassed by the Brave Blossoms. The Eagles suffered a bruising 63-14 defeat and were second best in all departments to Eddie Jones' men.
USA have a considerable edge in the world rankings (14 vs 24) but they were so lacklustre last weekend that we think an upset could be on the cards here. Canada won the last meeting between the nations, in August 2025, and we think they can repeat the feat in Tokyo.
Canada vs USA tip: Canada to win
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