Canada vs Morocco Predictions
Canada should make this competitive, but Morocco’s tournament pedigree and ability to set the tempo are likely to prove decisive.
Morocco to win is my best bet, while I also have a stake on both teams to score.
Morocco Backed to Edge Through
- Morocco won 5 of their last 8 matches
- Morocco have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches
- Morocco scored 1+ goals in 19 of their last 20 matches
- Canada have seen BTTS in 3 of their last 5 matches
- Canada scored 1+ goals in 9 of their last 10 matches
Morocco Hold H2H Advantage
Canada and Morocco have met four times previously at international level. Morocco won three of those fixtures, including a 2-1 win at the World Cup four years ago.
Canada Make History
Canada return to knockout action after a dramatic 1-0 win against South Africa in their round of 32 contest last weekend.
Stephen Eustaquio was the hero for Jesse Marsch’s side, with his 92nd-minute strike sending the co-hosts into the last 16 for the first time in their history.
Les Rouges were well-deserved winners in California. South Africa offered little threat, mustering an xG of just 0.14 from six efforts on goal.
By contrast, Canada produced 12 efforts and finished with a 1.38 xG total.
Head coach Marsch has raised confidence in the Canadian camp, with the co-hosts now unbeaten in 11 of 12 games played since October 2025.
While they have struggled in front of goal, Canada scored at least once in their last six matches. Three of their five most recent fixtures finished with both teams on the scoresheet.
Morocco Showing Tournament Steel
Morocco make the trip to Houston after a dramatic penalty shootout win against the Netherlands in Monterrey. The Atlas Lions looked to be on their way out of the competition beforeIssa Diop’s superb stoppage-time header forced the tie into extra time.
Following a tense 1-1 draw in which Morocco were largely the better team, the AFCON champions eventually prevailed with a 3-2 spot kick victory.
Mohamed Ouahbi’s side also impressed in the group stage, remaining unbeaten in matches against Brazil (1-1), Scotland (1-0) and Haiti (4-2).
Morocco have emerged as one of the strongest sides at the World Cup. Ouahbi’s men are unbeaten in 33 internationals since August last year, while they have lost just one of 49 matches since January 2024.
While usually defensively strong, Morocco conceded at least once in four of their last five matches, including two goals against Haiti.
Canada vs Morocco Team News
Canada Squad
Goalkeepers: Dayne St Clair, Maxime Crepeau, Owen Goodman
Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito, Joel Waterman, Richie Laryea, Luc de Fougerolles, Kamal Miller, Sam Adekugbe, Alphonso Davies
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, Jonathan Osorio, Mathieu Choiniere, Ali Ahmed, Nathan Saliba, Niko Sigur, Tajon Buchanan
Forwards: Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tani Oluwaseyi, Promise David, Jacob Shaffelburg, Liam Millar, Theo Bair
Canada boss Jesse Marsch is set to keep faith with much of the side that battled past South Africa. The co-hosts have no fresh injury issues.
Captain Alphonso Davies made his return as a substitute against South Africa and is likely to keep his place on the bench this week.
Responding to criticism of his post-match speech last weekend, Marsch defended Canada’s full-time group huddle.
“People will say it is performative to meet in the middle of the pitch,” Marsch said.
“All I care about is our team and what we do together.
“At full-time, it is hard to be with your team as everyone is pulled in a million different directions with the media, and you don’t really have time to take that moment unless you take it right there.
“I wanted to be able to voice to them how important a moment this will prove to be for the sport in the country.”
Morocco Squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir Mohamedi, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Marwane Saadane, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Youssef Belammari, Redouane Halhal, Anass Salah-Eddine
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Oussama Targhalline, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Othmane Maamma
Forwards: Soufiane Rahimi, Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari, Amine Sbai, Yassine Kechta, Ayoub El Kaabi
Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi has just one injury concern ahead of Saturday’s World Cup knockout clash. Chadi Riad is expected to feature despite being withdrawn with a knock against Netherlands.
Top scorer Ismael Saibari will spearhead the Atlas Lions attack, while influential regulars Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Yassine Bounou should also feature for the AFCON champions.
Speaking to the media following the dramatic win against the Dutch, Ouahbi believes they can go even further this time around.
“What we need to tell ourselves is no one can stop us,” he said.
“We’re unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play. But nobody is unbeatable. And I tell my guys that as well.
“If we get things wrong, we’ll go home. We need to ensure that we have all the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can. That’s the mentality that we want all of our players in Morocco to have.
“Moroccan players believe in themselves, and the supporters believe in us as well. It’s so important. They’re demanding, but it’s because they know just how far we can go.”