Canada vs Morocco

Canada face Morocco at Houston Stadium on Saturday evening in the World Cup round of 16.

Jesse Marsch’s side beat South Africa 1–0 in the last 32, Stephen Eustaquio’s 92nd-minute finish sending Canada into the last 16 for the first time. Morocco arrive having beaten the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic 2–2 draw, Issa Diop heading in a 91st-minute equaliser before the Atlas Lions won the shootout 3–2.

Canada have never beaten Morocco in four previous meetings, the teams also crossing paths at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Morocco won 2–1. The winner faces Paraguay or France in the quarter-finals.

Canada vs Morocco – Match preview and team news

Last meeting: Morocco 2–1 Canada, 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage

Jesse Marsch faces two significant selection decisions. Alphonso Davies made his first international appearance since March 2025 when he came off the bench against South Africa in the 75th minute, and a starting role is under consideration. Richie Laryea has been ever-present at left back throughout the tournament, however, and offers Marsch the safer option.

Ismael Kone is out for the tournament with a broken ankle. On the left wing, Jacob Shaffelburg and Liam Millar are competing for the starting spot, while Tani Oluwaseyi and Cyle Larin are pushing for a place alongside Jonathan David up front. No other injury concerns have been reported.

Mohamed Ouahbi is expected to have a fully-fit squad available. Chadi Riad was substituted at 75 minutes against the Netherlands but has made a rapid return to full training and is expected to start. Redouane Halhal and Marwane Saadane remain on standby as cover.

Ismael Saibari, who signed for Bayern Munich in the days following the Netherlands win, leads the attack having scored three goals in the group stage — including the winning penalty in the shootout. The rest of the XI is unchanged from the Netherlands match.

Marsch’s side produced a historic performance against South Africa in the last 32. Canada made 100 final-third pressures in the first half alone — the most of any team in a World Cup game since 2010. They were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and last-ditch defending before Eustaquio’s late winner.

Across the group stage, Canada drew with Bosnia-Herzegovina, beat Qatar and lost to Switzerland. They have scored in six consecutive matches across all competitions. The team is energetic, well-organised and compact. Against Morocco’s possession game, those defensive qualities will be tested for 90 minutes.

Ouahbi’s side have been one of the tournament’s most complete teams. A dominant 1–1 draw with Brazil in which they were only denied by a moment of individual brilliance from Vinicius Junior set the tone. Wins over Scotland and Haiti followed before the penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands, in which Morocco completed a staggering 801 passes — only Spain have bettered that figure in any World Cup game since data collection began.

The Atlas Lions are unbeaten in nine consecutive matches. Saibari has been the standout performer, scoring in each of the first three group matches and adding the decisive penalty against the Dutch. Morocco are one of the hardest sides in the tournament to break down and one of the easiest to underestimate at your peril.

Canada predicted XI (4-4-2): Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; David, Oluwaseyi

Morocco predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari

How to watch Canada vs Morocco?

The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on ITV1 and ITVX.

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