Morocco vs the Netherlands Round of 32: Everything to Know

Rabat – The Morocco-Netherlands Round of 32 game is coming with not only excitement but also pressure, as Moroccan fans who could not make it to Mexico are now gearing up for a long night to watch the thrillingly anticipated game scheduled at 2 a.m. Moroccan time.

The Atlas Lions and the Oranje are meeting in perhaps the most exciting and balanced Round of 32 encounter, with only one of the two FIFA top 10-ranked teams tipped to continue their World Cup journey. 

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has already lamented the fact that two of the highest ranked FIFA teams could meet so early in world football’s most prestigious tournament.  Both teams deserve to proceed and qualify for a more advanced stage of the tournament, the Dutch coach has said.

The game is taking place at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico.

beIN Sports Network is airing the game, alongside Morocco’s Arryadia. ESPN said the game will also be available on ITV1 in the UK, FOX Sports in the US, Zee5 in India, and SBS in Australia.

FIFA has assigned Wilton Pereira Sampaio from Brazil as the referee for the game.

Morocco’s coach Mohamed Ouahbi is excited for the match and has full trust in his team.

In a pre-match conference, Ouahbi said on Sunday that the Atlas Lions should expect a different match that requires different solutions.

“That is the mentality with which we will enter the game.”

Ouahbi’s predicted lineup could include Yassine Bounou in goal, in addition to big names who delivered spectacular performances during the group stage against Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.

The names that are expected to take part in tonight’s game include Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Azzedine Ounahi.

Read also: Morocco vs Netherlands: A History Behind Their Rivalry

The lineup could also see Neil El Aynaoui, Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari, and Bilal El Khannouss geared up.

For the Oranje, Koeman is expected to call up Bart Verbruggen in goal, alongside Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Ryan Gravenberch, and Frenkie de Jong on the pitch.

Other players who could be part of tonight’s game also include Tijjani Reijnders, Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey, and Cody Gakpo.

The Atlas Lions started a campaign that reflects the team’s growing confidence and power, showing that they belong on the elite stage and are looking to match or surpass their historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Atlas Lions secured two wins against Haiti and Scotland and a 1-1 draw against Brazil.

Despite finishing the group stage behind Brazil on goal difference and facing some lineup setbacks as a few of his players struggled to keep up with the pace of the tournament, Ouahbi is confident that his Atlas Lions have what it takes to turn the tides in the knockout stages and even the tournament. The Atlas Lions coach is determined to make history and he has pledged that every one of his players is equally ready and well prepared for what’s coming next.

If Morocco wins, it will play against Canada on Saturday at 6 p.m. Moroccan time.