A place in the World Cup quarter-finals is at stake when Canada and Morocco meet at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday – and both teams have already made history.
Canada has reached the playoffs of the World Cup for the first time ever, and took their first ever World Cup victory in the round of 32. Morocco, meanwhile, continues to build on its legendary 2022 run – after knocking out the Netherlands in the last eight.
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Jesse Marsch’s Canadian side narrowly won 1-0 over South Africa in the previous round, thanks to a dramatic winning goal from Stephen Eustáquio in the 92nd minute.
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Jonathan David remains their main offensive threat, while the return of Alphonso Davies from injury has provided a huge boost at a crucial moment in the championship.
Morocco, on the other hand, followed up an unbeaten group stage by knocking out the Netherlands on penalties after a close and even game.
The Atlas Lions have already become the first African nation to win play-off matches in two separate World Cup finals, and they remain very determined to build on their historic semi-final run in 2022.
The two nations met in the group stage of Qatar 2022, when Morocco won 2–1. Canada is still looking for their first-ever win against the Atlas Lions, having not won any of their previous four meetings at senior level.
Lineups and injuries
Canada: Star player Alphonso Davies is back from injury and came on as a substitute against South Africa. Davies could push for a place in the starting eleven, but Richie Laryea is expected to keep his place at left-back.
Jesse Marsch also has decisions to make in attack, with Cyle Larin, Promise David and Tani Oluwaseyi all vying for a spot alongside Jonathan David.
Stephen Eustáquio is guaranteed a place after scoring the winning goal in the previous round, while Tajon Buchanan continues to offer width and speed in attack.
Morocco: Expected to have a fully available squad without injuries. Centre-back Chadi Riad recovered quickly after having to leave the pitch against the Netherlands, and is expected to be ready to form a stopper pairing with Issa Diop.
Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou are still key players at the back, while Ismael Saibari, Brahim Díaz and Bilal El Khannouss provide creativity in the attacking areas.
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Probable line-ups
Canada (XI): Crépeau – Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea – Buchanan, Saliba, Eustáquio, Shaffelburg – Jonathan David, Oluwaseyi
Morocco (XI): Bounou – Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui – El Aynaoui, Bouaddi – Díaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Saibari
Key figures
Canada:
- Canada is in the World Cup finals for the first time in its history
- They have scored in six consecutive games across all competitions
- Canada had 100 pressure situations in the final third of the first half against South Africa – the highest number in a World Cup match since detailed data collection began in 2010
- Canada have kept a clean sheet in two of their last three World Cup matches
Morocco:
- Morocco are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions
- The Atlas Lions have progressed from the group stage of two World Cups in a row for the first time ever
- Morocco completed 801 passes against the Netherlands in the previous round – only the second team (after Spain) to have over 800 passes in a World Cup match since modern data collection began
- Morocco have conceded just two goals in four games at the 2026 World Cup
- Morocco won 2-1 against Canada when the teams met at the 2022 World Cup
- The Atlas Lions have never lost to Canada in senior international soccer
Our Prediction
Canada has been one of the big surprises in World Cup history and possesses enough energy and offensive quality to cause problems for Morocco.
However, the Atlas lions appear as the more complete layer. Their technical quality in midfield and experience in playoff football should give them an advantage in what is likely to be a close and even game.
Divination: Canada 1–2 Morocco
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