FIFA WORLD CUP ATLANTA: Morocco vs. Haiti
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Wednesday will see a crucial group C match come to Atlanta Stadium.
The Haiti national team is playing for pure pride. The Grenadiers lost their first two group matches to Scotland and Brazil and are already eliminated from the tournament. They are also one of five squads yet to score a goal, and could look to a player with Gwinnett County ties to find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, the 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, have everything to play for. The Atlas Lions are just behind Brazil on goal difference, with both teams knotted at four points each. A win against Haiti would not only send Morocco to the knockouts, but potentially give them an easier path as group winners.
The match starts at 6 p.m.
How have they done so far?
Morocco
Just like 2022, Morocco’s defense has carried the day. The squad scored just one goal each in its first two group matches, but it was enough for a 1-1 tie with Brazil and a 1-0 win over Scotland.
Forward and attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari is the engine of Morocco’s offense, scoring both of the team’s goals.
Haiti
In a group with soccer giants Brazil, Morocco’s golden generation and a resurgent Scotland with one of the best players in the world, Haiti did not have much of a chance.
The Grenadiers are still putting up a fight. Haiti led possession and chances against Scotland and had as many shots as Brazil.
One of their best offensive threats has Georgia ties. Louicius Don Deedson moved to Georgia when he was 15. He played at Kalonji Soccer Academy in Gwinnett.
How good are these teams?
Morocco
Morocco is currently the No. 6 team in the FIFA rankings. by far the best team in Africa.
Morocco is 3-2-0 in their last five, including their two group stage matches against Brazil and Scotland. Prior to the World Cup, they beat fellow World Cup competitor 2-1, smashed Madagascar 4-0 and tied Norway 1-1.
Haiti
Haiti is currently the lowest-ranked team in the entire tournament at No. 87.
Before their group stage matches, Haiti tied Iceland 1-1, beat fellow World Cup squad New Zealand 4-0 and lost to Peru 2-1.
Who were the previous starting XI?
Morocco (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal)
- Defender Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United)
- Defender Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace)
- Defender Issa Diop (Fulham)
- Defender Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Midfielder Neil El Aynaoui (Roma)
- Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
- Midfielder Bilal El Khannouss (VfB Stuttgart)
- Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi (Girona)
- Midfielder Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid)
- Forward Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)
Haiti (5-4-1)
- Goalkeeper Johny Placide (Bastia)
- Defender Martin Expérience (Nancy)
- Defender Hannes Delcroix (Lugano)
- Defender Ricardo Adé (LDU Quito)
- Defender Jean-Kévin Duverne (Gent)
- Defender Carlens Arcus (Angers)
- Midfielder Ruben Providence (Almere City)
- Midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolverhampton)
- Midfielder Danley Jean Jacques (Philadelphia Union)
- Midfielder Josué Casimir (Auxerre)
- Forward Frantzdy Pierrot (Çaykur Rizespor)
Atlanta will host four more World Cup matches at Atlanta Stadium, including three thrilling knockout-round contests and one of the semifinals.
The remaining schedule is as follows:
- June 27, 2026: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan (Group Stage)
- July 1, 2026: Group Stage Match (Round of 32)
- July 7, 2026: Knockout Stage Match (Round of 16)
- July 15, 2026: Semifinal
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