Canada vs. Morocco: Fans head into Houston Stadium for knockout World Cup match

SPECIAL insurance coverage | Canada to use up on maroc in FIFA domain Cup knockout game

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Still no start for Alphonso Davies, but we'll almost certainly see him come on again as a substitute — I'm guessing around the 60-minute mark.

It looks to me like Sigur has been brought in to give Canada some more defensive stability, while Ahmed should help provide a spark of creativity.

Midfielder Ismaël Koné, who was seen walking into Houston Stadium on crutches today, wrote a moving tribute to his team and the Canadian soccer community after his World Cup was cut short by a tackle that broke his leg during Canada's match against Qatar.

In the letter published in The Players Tribune yesterday, Koné says he's so proud of Canada's men for how far they've come in the tournament.

"I love how people are getting to see this version of Canada win on the world stage. We're fast. We're aggressive. We're strong. We're disciplined," he wrote.

"But most of all we're willing to do everything for this badge on our chest, I think because of the journey we each took to wear it … and because of what this country has given us in times when we've needed it most."

Kone said he felt "like I was letting the whole country down" after his leg was broken on the pitch in Vancouver. 

But he says the outpouring of support he's received from people across the county has carried him through. 

"Obviously I knew there'd be support, but the level has kind of shocked me a bit. It's moved me very deeply," he wrote. 

"And it's made me feel like I'm a small part of something very special that's happening right now."

The lineups are in! Canada makes three changes in its starting 11 from its win over South Africa.

Luc de Fougerolles returns to his starting place at the expense of Derek Cornelius, lining up alongside Moïse Bombito in central defence. 

Ali Ahmed has been favoured on the left wing in place of Liam Millar, while Niko Sigur slots in beside starting captain Stephen Eustáquio in midfield, with Nathan Saliba dropping to the bench.

Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi lead Canada's attack once again.

Hundreds of Canadians made the long, often delayed, rerouted and sometimes uncomfortable trip to Houston Stadium this morning. 

The vibe was intense in the Texas heat. After grabbing a classic Canadian Caesar cocktail at a pre-game tailgate party hosted by The Voyageurs, they made the 20-minute trek ready to cheer on the men's national team with unbridled excitement.

On top of the scorching heat outside the stadium, it's shaping up to be a rowdy afternoon and evening for Houstonians and tourists across the Texas city. 

Today marks the city's last World Cup match of the tournament, another FIFA fan festival, a Houston Astros baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, as well as the Freedom Over Texas festival and fireworks show celebrating the U.S.A.'s 250th birthday.

The weather in Houston is expected to be sweltering today, with the U.S. National Weather Service forecasting a high of about 36 C — but warning it could feel as hot as 40 C with the humidity. 

Luckily, Houston Stadium is one of three 2026 World Cup venues with a retractable roof and air conditioning, so Canada won't have to worry about playing in the heat. 

Yet even the stroll to the modern home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys will feel more like a firewalk, with the concrete-and-asphalt-laden Texas city built for cars and therefore primed to absorb heat.

As of today, no World Cup matches have been delayed or postponed due to the heat since the start of the tournament. 

But the Guardian reported that, as of Tuesday, nine matches have been played in potentially dangerous conditions due to heat and humidity. 

You can read more about how extreme heat affects players here. 

It was a relief to get to the knockout phase of this World Cup, after the extended group stage stumbled to a conclusion. Knockout soccer raises the stakes and drama — and the Round of 32 certainly delivered a lot of the latter.

The second half of Portugal vs. Croatia on Thursday had enough talking points for the entire round, with the match at Toronto Stadium featuring a stoppage time winner for Portugal, four disallowed goals — including one for Croatia in the final seconds that would have taken the game into extra time — and more VAR debate in the award of Portugal's penalty (duly dispatched by Cristian Ronaldo). 

All of which was set in the raucous atmosphere of what we can now again call BMO Field, hosting its final game of this World Cup. Apparently, there was quite the party in Toronto's Little Portugal that night.

Elsewhere, pick your highlight (or lowlight, depending on your allegiance): Cape Verde scoring the goal of the tournament in extra time against Argentina! Germany out on penalties! The Netherlands out on penalties! England leaning heavily on Harry Kane to squeeze past the Democratic Republic of Congo! Belgium's barely believable comeback win over Senegal! Brazil sneaking a late win over Japan! Norway's Erling Haaland celebrating in a viking helmet! 

I haven't even yet mentioned Stephen Eustáquio's moment of magic last Sunday.

Far from all the noise, France and Spain smoothly shifted into a gear of superior quality, ominously signalling that they're the teams to beat at this tournament.

If there's a reason for Canada's men to believe they can beat Morocco today, it's most easily found in Promise David's singular moment against Switzerland.

His goal, from inception to completion, was one of this World Cup's great goals. It also came against a better, more organized side, in the game that provided Canada with its best preparation for the knockout phase. 

If David's achievement was diminished by the eventual 2-1 loss to the Swiss, it should now be remembered for its wonder.

That's what separates belief from hope: Belief has corroborating evidence.

Yes, Canada's men can withstand and frustrate a difficult attack. Yes, they might have to make some tactical adjustments against fearsome Morocco. Yes, they can still make their own opportunities if they play quickly and instinctively and decisively. Yes, they can score against anyone, so long as they let the ball lead them.

And yes, finally: Their destiny is up to them.

Only they don't need to imagine what they might do anymore. They just need to remember what they've already done.

Read more.

Reuters

Canada needs to focus on staying aggressive at the back and ready to close down a Morocco side with "zero weaknesses," coach Jesse Marsch said yesterday.

The African side have put in World Cup performances underlining a reputation as a top side with a dangerous midfield bursting with mobility and fluidity that can punish Canada if all 11 players on the pitch fail to stick to the plan, he added.

"We know that Morocco is going to challenge every single thing we do and this is a team that has literally zero weaknesses," Marsch said.

"We have to try to be good at the things that we care about and that we are good at, and we have to see if that can hold up against an opponent like this."

Marsch said his side have plenty more to achieve when they face the 2022 World Cup semifinalists — but revenge plays no role in preparing for the encounter. Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in the group stage in 2022.

"This is a different time. They're a different team. We're a different team. This is a very different moment and we just want to do everything we can to find a way to get the result."

The return of talisman Alphonso Davies — who played his first minutes at the tournament as a substitute in the ‌victory over South Africa — could boost Canada, with Marsch saying the team captain would be available.

All that said, Canada has to tighten up today. 

That 2-1 defeat to Switzerland showed how losing concentration against higher ranked teams can be very costly: twice Canada's defence switched off, and twice they were punished.

The Canadians have otherwise been excellent at the back. Alistair Johnson might just be their player of the tournament so far, tracking players well and throwing in solid tackles but also providing an attacking threat down the right wing. 

Luc de Fougerolles, just 20 years old, has been a revelation in covering for the injured Moïse Bombito, whose steady presence was nevertheless hugely welcomed during his 60 minutes of action against South Africa. Derek Cornelius and Richie Laryea have also impressed.

Each one will need to be switched on for all 90 — or 120 — minutes of today's match if Canada hopes to make it any further in this tournament.

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