Morocco has made one alteration to their starting lineup from their match against the Netherlands. Redouane Halhal replaces Chadi Riad in the center-back position.
Canada, following their triumph over South Africa, introduces three new players. Luc de Fougerolles and Niko Sigur bolster the defense, while Ali Ahmed from Norwich City enhances their attacking options. Derek Cornelius, Liam Millar, and Nathan Saliba have been dropped from the starting XI.
Canada:Crepeau, Johnston, De Fougerolles, Bombito, Laryea, Buchanan, Sigur, Stephen Eustaquio, Ahmed, Jonathan David, Oluwaseyi.Subs:St. Clair, Goodman, Jones, Waterman, Choiniere, Larin, Millar, Cornelius, Shaffelburg, Davies, Osorio, Promise David, Saliba, Nelson.
Morocco:Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui, Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, Saibari.Subs:Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Talbi, Rahimi, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Riad, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Saleh-Eddine.
Referee:Michael Oliver (England).
Historically, Canada has faced Morocco four times and has yet to secure a victory. Their previous encounters include three friendlies: Morocco triumphed 3-2 in 1984 and 4-0 in 2016, while the teams played to a 1-1 draw in 1984. Their only competitive meeting occurred during the last World Cup, where Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri scored to help Morocco secure their group and advance to the semifinals.
In Group C, Morocco emerged as strong contenders but did not top the group due to a missed opportunity against Brazil in a 1-1 stalemate. They dispatched Scotland swiftly, winning in just 70 seconds, and ultimately defeated Haiti 4-2 after a challenging contest.
During the Round of 16, Morocco narrowly avoided elimination against the Netherlands, with Issa Diop saving them with a last-minute header. This dramatic moment led to a victory in a thrilling penalty shootout.
Canada progressed from Group B with relative ease, drawing 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina, dominating Qatar with a 6-0 victory, albeit overshadowed by an injury to Ismaël Koné, and suffering a 2-1 loss to Switzerland that cost them home advantage.
In the Round of 16, Canada clinched a tense win against South Africa, with Stephen Eustáquio emerging as the hero in the final moments of the match.
No matter what transpires for Canada in this tournament, they have already marked this World Cup as a significant achievement. They celebrated their first match victory at a finals, advanced from a group for the first time, and won a knockout game on their initial attempt. Expectations are modest for Jesse Marsch’s team, allowing them to approach this match as a no-pressure opportunity. Any further success will be seen as a delightful bonus.
Morocco, however, aims for greater heights. Four years ago, the Atlas Lions shattered numerous records, achieving their best World Cup finish by claiming fourth place, becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals. They have since won the Africa Cup of Nations and are set to co-host the World Cup in four years. With a current world ranking of sixth, ahead of traditional powerhouses like Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, they are poised for another deep run.
Next up, they might face one of the tournament favorites in France, while Canada is fully capable of causing an upset. This round-of-16 match, infused with a blend of expectation and excitement, is perfectly staged for an entertaining showdown. Kickoff in Houston, Texas, is scheduled for midday local time, 1 PM EDT, 6 PM BST, and 3 AM AEST. Let the games begin!
- World Cup 2026
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