Morocco beat co-hosts Canada 3-0 at NRG Stadium to reach the quarter-finals, becoming the first African nation to reach back-to-back World Cup last-eight stages after 2022. Azzedine Ounahi orchestrated a dazzling display as Canada became the first host eliminated.
How it unfolded: Morocco dominant
Morocco controlled from start to finish, running out 3-0 winners. Ounahi's creativity unlocked Canada repeatedly, and three unanswered goals reflected the Atlas Lions' superiority across the pitch.
Context: African history, a host out
No African side had reached consecutive World Cup quarter-finals until now. For Canada, co-hosts, elimination is a bitter first among the host nations under Jesse Marsch.
The next step: a 2022 rematch with France
Morocco advance to a quarter-final with France — a rematch of the 2022 semi-final France won 2-0. Our forecast of Morocco to avoid defeat landed emphatically in a 3-0 win.
What we predicted before the match
🌍 FIFA World Cup · World
Canada – Morocco Prediction and Betting Tips
Canada
WLWDD
vs
17:00
04 Jul · Sat
Morocco
DWWDD
Kick-off: 17:00 local (4 Jul) · 17:00 UTCVenue: NRG Stadium, HoustonReferee: Michael Oliver, England
Top forecast + 3 supporting tips
4 picks Top Pick
X2Morocco or draw60% confidence
1.24odds
Morocco edge the market with their pedigree and need only avoid a 90-minute defeat to reach extra time; Canada's belief keeps it live, so the double chance is the measured play.
Back this tip
Total:Under: 2.556%
Under 2.5 goals
1.69 odds
Win 248%
Morocco to win
1.82 odds
Total Team 1 Under: 1.558%
Canada under 1.5 goals
1.21 odds
This Round of 16 tie at NRG Stadium in Houston brings together two of the tournament's stories. Canada, in the last 16 for the first time after beating South Africa, face a Morocco side that eliminated the Netherlands on penalties and carry the pedigree of a 2022 semi-final run. Expect adventure against experience: Jesse Marsch's ambitious Canada versus the organisation and big-game nous of Mohamed Ouahbi's Morocco. With a quarter-final place on the line and a draw sending the tie to extra time, Morocco are favourites. Our forecast favours Morocco to avoid defeat, though Canada's fearless run makes them a threat.
Canada — recent matches
28 Jun 2026South Africa1 — 0W
24 Jun 2026Switzerland1 — 2L
18 Jun 2026Qatar6 — 0W
12 Jun 2026Bosnia & Herzegovina1 — 1D
05 Jun 2026Rep. Of Ireland1 — 1D
Morocco — recent matches
30 Jun 2026Netherlands1 — 1D
24 Jun 2026Haiti4 — 2W
19 Jun 2026Scotland1 — 0W
13 Jun 2026Brazil1 — 1D
07 Jun 2026Norway1 — 1D
01.12.2022CanadavsMorocco1 — 2
Squad Availability
✚ Injured ·■ Suspended
Canada
✚I. Koné
Morocco
No reported absences
Key Players
Canada
Alphonso DaviesLBReal Madrid · 50+ caps · Captain
Jonathan DavidSTJuventus · 55+ caps · 30 G
Stephen EustáquioCMPorto · 35+ caps
Tajon BuchananRWInter Milan · 30+ caps
Morocco
Achraf HakimiRBPSG · 80+ caps · 11 G
Hakim ZiyechAMAl-Duhail · 60+ caps
Sofyan AmrabatCDMFiorentina · 60+ caps
Youssef En-NesyriSTFenerbahçe · 75+ caps · 25 G
Romain SaïssCBDamac · 70+ caps · Captain
Injuries
Canada
None reported
Morocco
None reported
Venue · Context
Stadium: NRG Stadium, Houston
Capacity: 72,000
Houston's NRG Stadium has a retractable roof expected to close against extreme Gulf-coast heat and humidity, creating controlled indoor conditions.
Weather: Roof likely closed; outside hot/humid, ~33°C and sticky.
Canada
0–3
Morocco
