This Thursday at the Al Thumama Stadium, Morocco will play Canada in a World Cup Group F match, and the winner will advance to the round of 16.
Although Canada has been eliminated, this match might have major consequences for the North African team.
Canada vs Morocco Group F Match Preview
Group F’s last matchday is still tight, with various conceivable results. Morocco may progress if they win or draw. If they lose, Croatia must beat Belgium by at least two goals or lose to progress.
A tie in another group-round match eliminates Morocco if they lose by four goals. Morocco must complete the job, but they would be unfortunate not to progress after collecting points from both teams battling for a last 16 spot.
The Atlas Lions have easily defeated Croatia and Belgium, so it shouldn’t be an issue. Zakaria Aboukhlal scored a late winner against Belgium after a dreary 0-0 draw with the Vatreni.
Walid Regragui’s squad is the tournament’s greatest surprise, given their opponents. Even if they win the group, they’ll play Spain or Germany in the final 16. Despite their strong and attractive performance, Canada’s reign is over.
Due to their defensive ignorance, a good Croatia squad beat them 4-1 on Sunday. Milan Borjan prevented six or seven Zlatko Dalic goals. They ultimately scored a World Cup final goal on their sixth attempt.
Alphonso Davies, who agonizingly missed a penalty against Belgium in their opening encounter, scored their first World Cup finals goal in the sixth attempt. As they look to 2026, they recall leading the 2018 championships for over 30 minutes.
Behind missing a penalty and wasting multiple chances against a lackluster Belgian side, they were the second team to depart the tournament after hosts Qatar. They will co-host the next World Cup and want to avoid another zero-point finish like 1986.
The Maple Leafs were unfortunate to get 2018’s second and third-place teams and maybe Africa’s strongest nation in these championships.
Canada vs Morocco Group F Team News
Canadian head coach John Herdman can either go all out for three points in a meaningless match or give his bench players a chance to see action.
Ismael Kone, who has appeared in two games off the bench, may replace Atiba Hutchinson, who, at 39 years old, may not be up to start the third game this week.
Junior Hoilett may return in place of Cyle Larin after the latter failed to make an immediate impression when starting in place of Hoilett against Croatia. Jonathan David and Ben Davies might then move into a more forward position.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou of Morocco was substituted by Munir Mohamedi shortly after the national anthems had been played due to illness.
Even though he left the first game against Croatia with an injury, Noussair Mazraoui passed a late fitness test and will play as a fullback. Even if Regragui made a late substitution in goal, he is expected to start with the same ten men on the field today.
- Canada Possible Starting Lineup Options: Johnston, Steven Vitoria, St. Clair, Miller, Buchanan, Kone, Eustaquio, Hoilett, Adekugbe, Davies, David.
- Morocco Possible Starting Lineup Options: Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Bounou, Mazraoui, Amrabat, Amallah, Ziyech, Ounahi, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
Canada vs Morocco Group F Prediction (1-2)
Canada will seek to score more goals and get at least a point against Morocco since they pose a greater danger to them than either Croatia or Belgium did.
With so much at stake, Morocco must play at a high level if they don’t want to go home from the group stage.
