Playing in just their third FIFA World Cup, the Canadian men’s national team has very little history at the prestigious tournament.
However, this isn’t the case when it comes to their next opponent in the Round of 16.
Morocco, who defeated world No. 7 Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Round of 32 on Monday, will be Canada’s counterpart on Saturday as the two sides go head-to-head at a second consecutive World Cup with a spot in the quarter-final on the line
Canada and Morocco both competed out of Group F at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Canadian men’s first World Cup appearance since their debut in 1986.
John Herdman’s side, ranked 41st in the world at the time, entered their group-stage finale against Morocco already eliminated from knockout stage qualification after dropping games against Belgium and Croatia.
Morocco, ranked 22nd entering the 2022 tournament, were in line to take Group F with a win or draw following a scoreless draw against Croatia and blanking Belgium 2-0.
The match took place on Dec. 1, 2022, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
The North African side went up 1-0 in the fourth minute after a blunder by Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borgan and central defender Steven Vitoria allowed Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech to chip the ball into the net from outside the penalty area.
Nearly 20 minutes later, Youssef En-Nesyri received a beautiful pass on the run from current team captain and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Achraf Hakimi before beating Borgan short side while being harassed by two Canadian defenders, giving Morocco a commanding 2-0 lead.
Canada received life late in the first half when Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe, who is not on this year’s World Cup squad because of injury, made a nice move to elude a defender before his cross attempt to striker Cyle Larin went off Morocco’s Nayef Aguerd and into the back of the net for the own goal.
Canadian captain Atiba Hutchinson, who was 39 at the Qatar World Cup, almost scored an equalizer for his nation in the 71st minute when his header off a corner kick hammered the crossbar before coming straight down onto the goal line.
A VAR check revealed the ball was just inches away from crossing the goal line, a result that could have put Canada in line to earn their first point at a men’s World Cup.
Despite the 2-1 loss, Canada owned 59 per cent of the possession but couldn’t produce a single shot on net.
Morocco, who weren’t considered favourites entering that World Cup, would go on to defeat Spain and Portugal in the knockout round before falling to France, 2-0, in the semifinal and Croatia, 2-1, in the third-place game.
It was the best result for an African team in World Cup history.
Aside from their match at the 2022 World Cup, Canada has played Morocco on three previous occasions, all friendlies, in men’s soccer.
Canada dropped a 3-2 decision in October 1984, played to a 1-1 draw in June 1994 and were hammered 4-0 in October 2016.
Canada, Morocco set to battle in Round of 16
Four years later, Canada and Morocco are set to meet at another World Cup, this time with much more on the line.
Despite the Canadians being viewed as significant underdogs, Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi knows Canada can’t be taken lightly.
“People think it’s going to be easy for us. ‘It’s a walk in the park for Morocco.’ Which is not the case. Canada, I know this team. It’s a team that’s going to be difficult for us. We need to rest up. We need to come back fresh,” Ouahbi told the media following a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands on Monday at Monterrey Stadium.
“I think what we need to be telling ourselves is, ‘No one can stop us.’ We’re unstoppable if we play the football, 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.”
Some things have stayed the same, but a lot has changed since 2022 in Qatar.
Both sides have new managers as Herdman was replaced by American Jesse Marsch in May 2024 while Ouahbi took over for Walid Regragui earlier this year.
The roster construction has changed as well.
Morocco is bringing back just nine players from their semifinal run in Qatar, highlighted by Hakimi and their Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The Atlas Lions have also added significant pieces since Qatar, including Real Madrid star forward Brahim Diaz and PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari, who were both born in Spain but have family ties to Morocco.
Saibari has already scored three goals for Morocco at this year’s World Cup with Diaz picking up two assists.
Fulham defender Issa Diop, PSV Eindhoven defender Anass Salah-Eddine and 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi are also newcomers on the squad after their national eligibility was approved by FIFA over the last calendar year.
Canada, meanwhile, has half of their 26-man roster returning from the 2022 World Cup, including defenders Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea, and Joel Waterman, midfielders Stephen Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné (injured), Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar, Jonathan Osorio, forwards Jonathan David and Cyle Larin as well as backup goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
As for their performance on the pitch, Canada and Morocco have each improved over the last four years.
A significant run by Morrocco won’t be considered a Cinderella story in 2026 as the sixth-ranked nation has very real aspirations to become the first African team to capture a World Cup title.
Morocco defeated Senegal to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Canada has jumped up to 30th in the world and turned heads with a memorable fourth-place finish at the 2024 Copa America.
They advanced to the Round of 16 with a memorable 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday after finishing second in Pool B, highlighted by a 6-0 thrashing over Qatar for their first men’s World Cup victory in history. Canada also drew Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1-1, and fell to Switzerland, 2-1.
Morocco was the runner-up in Pool C after drawing Brazil and handling Scotland, 1-0, as well as Haiti, 4-2.
