- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,190,469
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Canada vs. Morocco projected lineups, starting 11 from World Cup Round of 16 game in Houston originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The margin for error continues to shrink as Canada and Morocco face off in Houston for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Canada reached the Round of 16 after edging South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32, continuing an impressive tournament following a strong group-stage campaign. Jesse Marsch's side has shown defensive resilience throughout the competition and now stands just one victory away from the last eight.
Morocco, meanwhile, needed penalties to overcome the Netherlands after a 1-1 draw in an absorbing Round of 32 contest. Walid Regragui's side once again demonstrated the discipline and composure that made it one of the stories of Qatar 2022 and will be aiming for another deep World Cup run.
Here are the latest team news updates and projected starting lineups for Canada and Morocco ahead of their World Cup clash in Houston.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
Canada projected starting 11
(4-4-2, right to left): 16. M. Crepeau (GK) — 2. A. Johnston, 15. M. Bombito, 13. D. Cornelius, 22. R. Laryea — 17. T. Buchanan, 25. N. Saliba, 7. S. Eustáquio, 11. L. Millar — 10. J. David, 12. T. Oluwaseyi
- Injured: None
- Suspended: None
- On a yellow card: None
Jesse Marsch is unlikely to make many changes after Canada secured a place in the World Cup Round of 16 with a hard-fought victory over South Africa. The Canadians have been one of the tournament's most disciplined sides and should stick with the XI that delivered in the knockout opener.
Maxime Crépeau is expected to continue in goal behind an unchanged back four of Alistair Johnston, Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius and Richie Laryea. The quartet has provided Canada with a solid defensive platform throughout the tournament and will be tasked with containing Morocco's dangerous attack.
Stephen Eustaquio should once again orchestrate the midfield alongside Nathan Saliba, while Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar are expected to provide width from the flanks. The pair have been key outlets in transition and will look to stretch Morocco's back line.
Jonathan David is set to partner Tani Oluwaseyi in attack after the duo started the Round of 32 victory. With a place in the quarterfinals on the line, Marsch is expected to keep faith with the side that has carried Canada this far.
Morocco projected starting 11
(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Y. Bounou (GK) — 3. N. Mazraoui, 18. C. Riad, 14. I. Diop, 2. A. Hakimi — 24. N. El Aynaoui, 8. A. Ounahi — 23. B. El Khannouss, 10. B. Diaz, 11. I. Saibari — 20. A. El Kaabi
- Injured: None
- Suspended: None
- On a yellow card: None
Morocco have once again impressed with their defensive organisation and are unlikely to make significant changes from the Netherlands match
Yassine Bounou will continue in goal behind a back four of Achraf Hakimi, Chadi Riad, Mouctar Diakhaby and Noussair Mazraoui. The quartet has helped Morocco remain one of the tournament's toughest teams to break down, and Regragui is expected to keep faith with the same defensive unit.
Neil El Aynaoui and Reda Belahyane are set to anchor the midfield, allowing Azzedine Ounahi greater freedom in an advanced role. Bilal El Khannouss and Brahim Díaz are expected to provide creativity from the flanks as Morocco look to control possession and create chances between the lines.
Ismael Saibari is poised to lead the attack once again after starting the Round of 32 victory over the Netherlands. With a place in the quarterfinals at stake, Regragui is expected to name an unchanged XI.
MORE:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?
Canada vs. Morocco predictions, betting odds
This looks set to be one of the tightest Round of 16 ties. Canada have impressed under Jesse Marsch with their organisation and work rate, while Morocco once again appear built for knockout football after eliminating the Netherlands on penalties.
With little separating the sides, the contest could be decided by a moment of quality from either attack. Morocco's experience on the biggest stage may just give them the edge in what promises to be a closely fought encounter.
- Score prediction: Canada 1-2 Morocco
Canada and Morocco World Cup rosters
Here are the names on Canada's and Morocco's World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.
Canada World Cup squad
Head coach: Jesse Marsch
| Pos | No. | Name | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 16 | Maxime Crepeau | Orlando City (MLS, United States) | 32 | 30 |
| GK | 18 | Owen Goodman | Barnsley (Championship, England) | 22 | 0 |
| GK | 1 | Dayne St. Clair | Inter Miami (MLS, United States) | 29 | 19 |
| DEF | 15 | Moise Bombito | Nice (Ligue 1, France) | 26 | 19 |
| DEF | 13 | Derek Cornelius | Rangers (Premiership, Scotland) | 28 | 42 |
| DEF | 19 | Alphonso Davies | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 25 | 58 |
| DEF | 4 | Luc de Fougerolles | Dender (Pro League, Belgium) | 20 | 11 |
| DEF | 2 | Alistair Johnston | Celtic (Premiership, Scotland) | 27 | 56 |
| DEF | 3 | Alfie Jones | Middlesbrough (Championship, England) | 28 | 1 |
| DEF | 22 | Richie Laryea | Toronto FC (MLS, Canada) | 31 | 73 |
| DEF | 23 | Niko Sigur | Hajduk Split (Football League, Croatia) | 22 | 17 |
| DEF | 5 | Joel Waterman | Chicago Fire (MLS, United States) | 30 | 17 |
| MID | 20 | Ali Ahmed | Norwich City (Championship, England) | 25 | 24 |
| MID | 17 | Tajon Buchanan | Villarreal (La Liga, Spain) | 27 | 58 |
| MID | 6 | Mathieu Choiniere | LAFC (MLS, United States) | 27 | 22 |
| MID | 7 | Stephen Eustaquio | LAFC (MLS, United States) | 29 | 54 |
| MID | 8 | Ismael Kone | Sassuolo (Serie A, Italy) | 23 | 38 |
| MID | 11 | Liam Millar | Hull City (Championship, England) | 26 | 39 |
| MID | 21 | Jonathan Osorio | Toronto FC (MLS, Canada) | 33 | 89 |
| MID | 25 | Nathan Saliba | Anderlecht (Pro League, Belgium) | 22 | 13 |
| MID | 14 | Jacob Shaffelburg | LAFC (MLS, United States) | 26 | 31 |
| FWD | 10 | Jonathan David | Juventus (Serie A, Italy) | 26 | 75 |
| FWD | 24 | Promise David | Union St. Gilloise (Pro League, Belgium) | 24 | 8 |
| FWD | 9 | Cyle Larin | Southampton (Championship, England) | 31 | 88 |
| FWD | 12 | Tani Oluwaseyi | Villarreal (La Liga, Spain) | 26 | 22 |
Morocco World Cup squad
Head coach: Mohamed Ouahbi
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Yassine Bounou | Al Hilal (Pro League, Saudi Arabia) | 35 | 90 |
| GK | 12 | Munir Mohamedi | RS Berkane (Botola Pro, Morocco) | 30 | 3 |
| GK | 22 | Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti | AS FAR (Botola Pro, Morocco) | 37 | 53 |
| DEF | 19 | Youssef Belammari | Al Ahly (Premier League, Egypt) | 27 | 19 |
| DEF | 14 | Issa Diop | Fulham (Premier League, England) | 29 | 4 |
| DEF | 13 | Zakaria El Ouahdi | Genk (Pro League, Belgium) | 24 | 3 |
| DEF | 2 | Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 27 | 96 |
| DEF | 25 | Redouane Halhal | Mechelen (Pro League, Belgium) | 23 | 3 |
| DEF | 3 | Noussair Mazraoui | Man United (Premier League, England) | 28 | 45 |
| DEF | 18 | Chadi Riad | Crystal Palace (Premier League, England) | 22 | 6 |
| DEF | 5 | Marwane Saadane | Al Fateh (Pro League, Saudi Arabia) | 34 | 8 |
| DEF | 26 | Anass Salah-Eddine | PSV (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 24 | 9 |
| MID | 4 | Sofyan Amrabat | Real Betis (La Liga, Spain) | 29 | 75 |
| MID | 6 | Ayyoub Bouaddi | Lille (Ligue 1, France) | 18 | 4 |
| MID | 24 | Neil El Aynaoui | AS Roma (Serie A, Italy) | 24 | 16 |
| MID | 23 | Bilal El Khannouss | Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) | 22 | 37 |
| MID | 15 | Samir El Mourabet | Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France) | 19 | 4 |
| MID | 8 | Azzedine Ounahi | Girona (Segunda Division, Spain) | 26 | 49 |
| MID | 11 | Ismael Saibari | PSV (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 25 | 31 |
| MID | 7 | Chemsdine Talbi | Sunderland (Premier League, England) | 21 | 5 |
| MID | 16 | Gessime Yassine | Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France) | 20 | 5 |
| FWD | 21 | Ayoube Amaimouni | Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga, Germany) | 21 | 2 |
| FWD | 10 | Brahim Diaz | Real Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 26 | 26 |
| FWD | 20 | Ayoub El Kaabi | Olympiacos (Super League, Greece) | 32 | 71 |
| FWD | 9 | Soufiane Rahimi | Al Ain (Pro League, UAE) | 30 | 37 |
| FWD | 17 | Amine Sbai | Angers (Ligue 1, France) | 25 | 2 |
Where to watch Canada vs. Morocco
In USA:
- TV channel: FOX
- Live stream: fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Canada | TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, CTV, RDS | TSN+, RDS app |
| UK | BBC One or ITV One | BBC iPlayer, BBC website or ITVX |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | Unite8 Sports 1 | ZEE5 |
Continue reading...
