The World Cup Round of 16 opens with a match that already means more to Canada than almost anything in their footballing history. Co-hosts Canada had never even won a game at a World Cup before this summer, and a stoppage-time winner against South Africa has already delivered their first ever knockout victory. Now Morocco, unbeaten this tournament and dreaming of repeating their famous 2022 run to the semi-finals, stand in the way of a first ever Canadian quarter-final. Here is how to watch Canada vs Morocco, the kick-off time where you are, the lineups and our prediction.
Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET on Saturday, July 4 / 6:00 PM in the UK at NRG Stadium in Houston, a noon local start. In the US it is on Fox and Telemundo. In Britain it is free on the BBC, with streaming on iPlayer.
Where to Watch Canada vs Morocco
Free on the BBC in the UK. In the US it is on Fox and Telemundo.
Quick tip: in the UK this is free on the BBC and iPlayer. Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK has every channel and time. In the US it is on Fox with Telemundo in Spanish, plus Fubo and Peacock. Canadian fans can watch free-to-air on TSN, RDS and Crave.
Canada vs Morocco TV Channel and Live Stream
USA UK Canada Morocco
Australia
IndiaWhat Time Is Canada vs Morocco in Your City?
Toronto (ET)
Houston (CT, local)Vancouver (PT)
Rabat (WEST)
London (BST)
Madrid / Paris (CEST)
Dubai (GST)
New Delhi (IST)
Sydney (AEST)
Doha (AST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
Pick your country and we will do the maths.
The Road to the Round of 16
Canada finished second in Group B before winning their Round of 32 tie in dramatic fashion. Morocco finished second in Group C, level on points with Brazil, before a nerve-shredding penalty shootout of their own. Every final group table is in our World Cup 2026 groups guide.
CanadaMoroccoThe winner advances to the quarter-finals in Boston to face the winner of France vs Paraguay. If level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and, if needed, penalties.
A Nation's Dream Against a Tournament Heavyweight
It is worth sitting with what Canada have already achieved. Before this summer, in six previous World Cup matches stretching back decades, they had never once earned a point. This tournament alone has delivered a draw, their first ever win, a first ever knockout victory, and now a first ever Round of 16 appearance. Jesse Marsch has called this game a free hit, and there is real truth in that: nobody expected Canada to be here, so anything from this point is a bonus. Alphonso Davies drives the team forward from left-back, Jonathan David leads the line, and Stephen Eustaquio, scorer of the stoppage-time winner against South Africa, has become the story of Canada’s tournament.
Morocco arrive as one of the form teams left in the draw. They matched Brazil point for point in Group C, only finishing second on goal difference, then survived a genuine scare against the Netherlands, conceding in the 72nd minute before Issa Diop’s header forced extra time in the 91st, and eventually winning on penalties. That kind of resilience matters, and this is a squad that already knows what a deep World Cup run feels like, having reached the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago. Ismael Saibari, soon to join Bayern Munich, has been the standout performer with three goals, including the winning penalty against the Dutch, while Achraf Hakimi remains one of the most dangerous full-backs in the tournament going forward.
History offers Canada little comfort. The two nations have met four times and Morocco have never lost, three friendlies plus a 2022 World Cup group game that Morocco won 2-1 courtesy of two early goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri, a result that kick-started their run to the semi-finals. This is effectively a rematch of that exact game. Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch has been characteristically blunt about the size of the task, joking that preparing for Morocco felt like a nightmare, but insisting his team has earned the right to be here and see the game as an opportunity rather than a burden.
Tactically, Canada have conceded just three goals all tournament and will look to defend deep and compact, trusting Alistair Johnston to disrupt Hakimi’s service and hitting Morocco on the counter through David and Jacob Shaffelburg. Morocco should dominate possession and territory, and with more individual quality across the pitch, they head into Houston as clear favourites. But Canada have already shown, against South Africa, that they can find a way when it matters most, and a home-continent crowd will roar them on. We lean towards Morocco progressing, though do not rule out this special Canadian run continuing a little longer yet.
How They Might Line Up
Canada have no fresh injury concerns and Marsch is expected to name an unchanged XI from the South Africa win. Morocco also have no reported injuries, with the same group that ground past the Netherlands on penalties available again.
CANADA · Marsch · 4-4-2Crepeau · Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Laryea · Buchanan, Saliba, Eustaquio, Millar · Oluwaseyi, David
MOROCCO · 4-2-3-1Bounou · Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui · Bouaddi, El Aynaoui · Ounahi, El Khannouss, Diaz · Saibari
Who Reaches the Quarter-Finals?
Canada's fairytale continues, or the Atlas Lions roar on? Sign up on Vatan in seconds and back your call on this Round of 16 clash.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
A Word on Houston Stadium
Better known as NRG Stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans, this venue is known as Houston Stadium during the World Cup. It has already hosted two Super Bowls and multiple Copa America games, and now stages the tournament’s very first Round of 16 tie. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
The sides have met four times and Morocco have never lost. Their only World Cup meeting came at Qatar 2022, a 2-1 Morocco win in the group stage through Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri, a result that launched Morocco’s run to the semi-finals. Their other three meetings were friendlies played between 1984 and 2016.
Canada vs Morocco: Quick Answers
What time does Canada vs Morocco kick off?
1pm Eastern in the US and Canada, which is noon local in Houston. In the UK it is 6pm BST, and in Rabat it is also 6pm local. The date is Saturday, July 4, 2026.
What channel is Canada vs Morocco on in the US?
Fox has the English-language broadcast, with Telemundo in Spanish. You can also stream it via Fubo and Peacock.
Is Canada vs Morocco free to watch in the UK?
Yes. It is live and free on the BBC, with free streaming via BBC iPlayer.
What happens if it is a draw after 90 minutes?
This is a knockout tie, so a draw means 30 minutes of extra time and then a penalty shootout if the teams are still level, exactly how Morocco progressed past the Netherlands in the previous round.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner of Canada vs Morocco advances to the quarter-finals in Boston to face the winner of France vs Paraguay.
Why is this game so historic for Canada?
Canada had never won a single World Cup match before this tournament. They have now won their first ever game, their first ever knockout tie, and a win here would deliver a first ever quarter-final appearance.
Have Canada and Morocco played each other before?
Yes, four times, and Morocco have never lost. Their only World Cup meeting came at Qatar 2022, a 2-1 Morocco win in the group stage on their way to the semi-finals.
What is the prediction?
We lean towards Morocco, around 2-1, given their greater individual quality and recent tournament pedigree. Canada have already defied expectations once this tournament, though, and cannot be ruled out.
World Cup 2026 Guides
🏆 World Cup 2026 Final: Date, Venue, Time & How to Watch →
📅 World Cup 2026 Full Schedule, Bracket & Fixtures →
🏆 World Cup 2026 Groups, Tables & All 48 Teams →
🇺🇸 How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in the USA →
⚽ Messi vs Ronaldo: Who Has the Better World Cup Record? →
