A spot within the World Cup quarter-finals shall be on the road when Canada and Morocco meet at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday.
Canada have already made historical past by reaching the knockout levels for the primary time and claiming their first-ever World Cup knockout win, whereas Morocco proceed to construct on their exceptional 2022 marketing campaign after eliminating the Netherlands within the Spherical of 32.
Jesse Marsch’s aspect edged previous South Africa 1-0 within the earlier spherical because of a dramatic 92nd-minute winner from Stephen Eustaquio.
Jonathan David stays their major attacking menace, whereas the return of Alphonso Davies from harm has offered a significant increase at an important stage of the competitors.
Morocco, in the meantime, adopted an unbeaten group-stage marketing campaign by knocking out the Netherlands on penalties after a tightly contested recreation.
The Atlas Lions have already develop into the primary African nation to win knockout matches at two separate World Cups, they usually stay decided to construct on their historic semi-final run on the 2022 match.
The 2 nations met within the group stage of Qatar 2022, with Morocco securing a 2-1 win. Canada are nonetheless looking for their first-ever win in opposition to the Atlas Lions, having didn’t win any of their earlier 4 senior males’s conferences.
Workforce information for Canada vs Morocco
Canada obtained a significant increase with Alphonso Davies coming back from harm as an alternative in opposition to South Africa.
Whereas Davies may push for a beginning function, Richie Laryea is predicted to retain his place at left-back. Jesse Marsch additionally faces selections in assault, with Cyle Larin, Promise David and Tani Oluwaseyi all competing to associate Jonathan David.
Stephen Eustaquio is definite to begin after scoring the profitable objective within the earlier spherical, whereas Tajon Buchanan will proceed to supply attacking width.
Morocco are anticipated to have a totally match squad accessible.
Centre-back Chadi Riad recovered rapidly after being pressured off in opposition to the Netherlands and needs to be accessible to associate Issa Diop in defence.
Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stay key figures on the again, whereas Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss present creativity in superior areas.
Anticipated line-ups for Canada vs Morocco
Canada beginning XI: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; Jonathan David, Oluwaseyi
Morocco beginning XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari
The place to look at Canada vs Morocco: TV channel, on-line reside stream
The match takes place on Saturday, July 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston, with kick-off at 18:00 BST.
Within the UK, the match shall be broadcast on ITV1, and you may also stream the sport on-line by ITVX or Sky Go.
Canada vs Morocco stats
- Canada are showing within the World Cup knockout rounds for the primary time of their historical past
- Canada have scored in six consecutive matches throughout all competitions
- Jesse Marsch’s aspect recorded 100 final-third pressures within the first half in opposition to South Africa, the very best determine in a World Cup match since detailed information assortment started in 2010
- Canada have stored two clear sheets of their final three World Cup matches
- Morocco are unbeaten of their final 9 matches in all competitions
- The Atlas Lions have progressed from consecutive World Cup group levels for the primary time
- Morocco accomplished 801 passes in opposition to the Netherlands within the earlier spherical, changing into solely the second workforce after Spain to exceed 800 passes in a World Cup match since trendy information monitoring started
- Morocco have conceded simply two objectives in 4 matches at World Cup 2026
- Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 when the perimeters met on the 2022 World Cup
- The Atlas Lions have by no means misplaced to Canada in senior males’s worldwide soccer
Prediction for Canada vs Morocco
Canada have been one of many tales of the match and possess sufficient power and attacking high quality to bother Morocco.
Nevertheless, the Atlas Lions seem the extra full workforce. Their technical high quality in midfield and expertise in knockout soccer ought to give them the sting in what’s more likely to be a intently contested encounter.
Prediction: Canada 1-2 Morocco
