Morocco has made one adjustment to their starting lineup from the previous match against the Netherlands, with Redouane Halhal stepping in for Chadi Riad at center-back. Riad is recovering from a knee injury sustained in the last-32 match but remains available on the bench.
Alphonso Davies, the captain of Canada and a pivotal player, continues his return from a long-term injury and will again start on the bench, having made an impactful appearance against South Africa. Coach Jesse Marsch has opted for three changes following their last-32 victory. Luc de Fougerolles and Niko Sigur join a five-man defense, while Ali Ahmed from Norwich City enhances the attacking lineup. Derek Cornelius, Liam Millar, and Nathan Saliba will not start.
Canada’s lineup includes: Crepeau, Johnston, De Fougerolles, Bombito, Laryea, Buchanan, Sigur, Stephen Eustaquio, Ahmed, Jonathan David, and Oluwaseyi. The substitutes are St. Clair, Goodman, Jones, Waterman, Choiniere, Larin, Millar, Cornelius, Shaffelburg, Davies, Osorio, Promise David, Saliba, and Nelson.
For Morocco, the team consists of: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui, Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, and Saibari. Their substitutes include Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Talbi, Rahimi, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Riad, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, and Saleh-Eddine.
The match will be officiated by referee Michael Oliver from England.
Previous Encounters
Canada has faced Morocco on four occasions without securing a victory. Their previous meetings included three friendlies, with Morocco winning 3-2 in 1984 and 4-0 in 2016, while the teams played to a 1-1 draw in 1984. The sole competitive match took place in the last World Cup, where goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri propelled Morocco to win their group, marking the start of their run to the semi-finals.
Morocco’s Performance
Morocco emerged as the standout team in Group C but did not clinch the top spot, having drawn 1-1 with Brazil despite being in a strong position. They quickly dispatched Scotland within 70 seconds, and although they faced challenges against Haiti, they ultimately triumphed with a score of 4-2.
In the Round of 16, Morocco found themselves on the edge of elimination against the Netherlands. A last-minute header from Issa Diop saved them, allowing the Atlas Lions to prevail in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Canada’s Journey
Canada navigated Group B without much difficulty, securing a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, a resounding 6-0 victory over Qatar, though marred by an injury to Ismaël Koné, and a 2-1 loss to Switzerland that cost them home advantage.
In the round of 16, Canada clinched a narrow victory over South Africa, with Stephen Eustáquio emerging as the hero in the final moments of the match.
Regardless of the outcome, Canada’s performance in this World Cup has been remarkable. They achieved their first victory at a finals, advanced from the group stage for the first time, and won a knockout match at their first attempt. While expectations for Jesse Marsch’s team to win the tournament are low, they will approach the remainder of the competition as an opportunity to seize the moment, with any further success viewed as a delightful bonus.
Aiming for High Goals
Morocco’s aspirations are significantly higher this time around. Four years ago, they shattered records with a fourth-place finish, marking their best-ever performance at a World Cup. In doing so, they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals. They have since been awarded the Africa Cup of Nations and will co-host the next World Cup in four years.
Ranked sixth in the world, Morocco sits above traditional footballing giants such as Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. With this strong position, they have every reason to believe they can replicate their deep run from the last tournament.
Looking ahead, a potential match against one of the favorites, France, looms large, and Canada possesses the capability to deliver an upset. This round-of-16 clash promises to be an exciting contest, set against a backdrop of high expectations and a vibrant atmosphere. Kickoff in Houston, Texas, is scheduled for midday local time, 1 PM EDT, 6 PM BST, and 3 AM AEST. The stage is set for an exhilarating encounter.
