It’s Canada vs Morocco in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Canada just won their first ever knockout stage game at the World Cup, but they enter the Round of 16 clash with Morocco as underdogs. We offer team news and predicted lineups for Saturday’s clash in Houston.
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Canada vs Morocco
Date: Saturday, July 4th, 2026
Venue: NRG Stadium in Houston
Kick Off: 13:00 local time in Houston
Referee: Michael Oliver
Current Odds: Canada 4.7 Draw (after 90 minutes) 3.55 Morocco 1.81
Canada Team News
Having finally won a knockout stage game, Canada enters this matchup as an underdog but will still have plenty of belief. Manager Jesse Marsch was at the stadium in Monterrey and saw the Atlas Lions defeat the Netherlands on penalties. “It’s like, I don’t want to watch them play. They’re too good.” Marsch said of Morocco “we know that everybody’s going to write us off, and in that is an opportunity” He continued.
For the past four games, Canada’s biggest story has been fitness concerns around Alphonso Davies, the Canadian star finally got minutes on the field against South Africa as an impact sub, setting up Stephen Eustaquio’s match winning goal. Marsch did not clarify whether Davies will start or be off the bench, but he will take part in the contest.
Beyond Davies, Moise Bombito should be the starter at CB, and Tani Oluwaseyi should continue to start in the forward role ahead of Cyle Larin. In the midfield, it’s Ali Ahmed/Liam Millar/Jacob Shaffelburg who would make way for Davies but are likely to have some role off the bench.
Canada should be prepared for this game to last well into 120 minutes, and possibly penalties.
Morocco Team News
When they met four years ago in Doha, it was Morocco that emerged 2-1 winners in what was a great World Cup for the Atlas Lions. Morocco needed penalties to defeat Netherlands side that played very defensive tactics in their round of 32 clash. This side hasn’t always been the most elite team in this tournament, but they have shown clutch play.
Morocco has a fully fit squad and can use their preferred XI for this matchup, with Chadi Riad, a CB, not remaining unfit after he was substituted against the Dutch. Morocco will opt for their experienced side with Brahim Diaz, Achraf Hakimi, and Canadian born Bono among the starters.
Manager Mohamed Ouahbi made it clear that he doesn’t discount Canada’s talent at all. “People think that it’s going to be easy for us, it’s a walk in the park for Morocco, which is not the case” he told the media.
Against Canada, Morocco will need to block their counterattacks, and will likely be the team in control of possession.
Read More: A Canadian Hero: Stephen Eustáquio Delivers Historic World Cup Victory Against South Africa
Canada Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)
GK; Maxime Crepeau
Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Moise Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea
Midfield: Tajon Buchanan, Nathan Saliba, Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Millar
Forwards: Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi
Morocco Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Bono
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui
Midfield: Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Brahim Diaz
Forwards: Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
