Canada vs. Morocco: Underdogs chase World Cup upset in Houston

Canada knows it’s the underdog in Houston’s Fourth of July knockout stage match Saturday against Morocco. But that’s not going to stop the Canadians from trying to supply the first fireworks of the day.

“We know that everybody’s going to write us out,” Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said Wednesday, “and in that’s an opportunity.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup can already be considered a success for Canada. The team didn’t finish top of its group but did advance to the knockout stage for the first time.

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Then, in last Sunday’s round of 32 matchup, the team defeated South Africa for its first knockout stage victory.

Yet Morocco prevents a very different challenge for Canada than what the co-hosts have seen. The Atlas Lions are better than any team Canada has faced so far in the tournament, and Marsch noted Morocco is playing with a lot of confidence.

But that doesn’t mean Canada can’t emerge from Houston with a victory.

“We’re not afraid of anybody,” midfielder/defender Niko Sigur said. “We’re going after every game. If we’re going to lose, we’re going to lose our way, and if we’re going to win, it’s because we’re playing our style.”

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That style didn’t dominate possession against South Africa in the round of 32 matchup but it did lead to double the amount of total shots and six more shots on target than Bafana Bafana.

But Canada wasn’t able to breakthrough until stoppage time when Stephen Eustáquio chested down a clearance just outside the box and fired a shot into the low corner.

Even though the team did what it had to do against South Africa, Canada will have to be better against Morocco.

“We are focused on trying to really be our best for this match and deliver the best performance of our lives,” Marsch said. “That can give us a chance.”

He called the Atlas Lions a team with no weaknesses and highlighted that they are not only good with the ball but want the ball too.

One thing in Canada’s favor is that Morocco is  coming off a 120-minute battle Monday against the Netherlands in Mexico that ended in penalty kicks.

The Atlas Lions needed a stoppage time goal to send the game to extra time but were the better team on the day. Morocco maintained possession throughout the match and nearly doubled the Oranje in shots.

An advantage for Morocco in the win was the midfield. The Netherlands changed their formation ahead of the match to play with just two midfielders compared to three for Morocco, and it caused problems for the Netherlands.

Canada also plays with two midfielders in its 4-4-2 formation. But midfielder Nathan Saliba said that he doesn’t foresee it being an issue.

“We’ve been able to manage many games where we’re two against three in the midfield,” Saliba said.

Following the team’s victory over South Africa, Marsch called his players “Canadian heroes.”

A victory over Morocco, and a spot in the quarterfinals, might elevate the group to something more than heroes. 

“Let’s go for it. We have nothing to lose. Everyone’s gonna expect us to lose. So let’s really go for it,” Marsch said. “Let’s really go for it.”