The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

Azzedine Ounahi broke the deadlock in the 50th minute to give Morocco a 1-0 lead over Canada. Ounahi slotted a shot from outside the box into the bottom-right corner after a pass from Achraf Hakimi on a free kick.

Centre back Luc De Fougerolles missed a tackle to set up the free kick, earning Canada’s third yellow card.

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2:07 p.m.

Canada captain Alphonso Davies is warming up on the sidelines as the second half gets underway in Houston. Davies, coming off a hamstring injury, made his tournament debut when he came on in the second half of Canada’s 1-0 win over South Africa in the round of 32.

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1:55 p.m.

Moroccan fans outnumber Canada’s supporters in the stands, but the Canadians are making their presence felt with chants and cheers. There are some famous faces rooting for Les Rouges, including hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who was spotted in the stands. Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has said he regularly gets texts from Gretzky asking about the team.

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1:52 p.m.

Canada and Morocco are locked in a 0-0 tie heading into halftime in their round-of-16 match in Houston. Canada dominated the early play in a chippy first half, with six yellow cards handed out — four to Morocco and two to Canada.

1:44 p.m.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and Canada wingback Richie Laryea received yellow cards in the 40th minute as tempers flared between the two sides. Hakimi pushed Laryea to the ground while pressing. Laryea then confronted Hakimi in front of the referee.

Canada striker Jonathan David received another yellow card minutes later when he took down Brahim Diaz on the break, before Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi was booked for a missed challenge on Ali Ahmed. Redouane Halhal and Bilal El Khannouss have also been booked with a yellow cards.

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1:30 p.m.

Red jerseys dot the stands as Canada takes on Morocco, with expatriates and adopted fans among the supporters. Calen and Kelly Chellew make the trip from Baton Rouge, La., after buying tickets before the matchups were even set. “It was fate,” Kelly says, while Canadian-born Calen says he’s thrilled to see Canada reach the knockout stage for the first time. Hugo Berlanga, a San Antonio resident, is wearing a black Canada jersey after spending two years living in Halifax. “It’s just the love I have for the country,” he says.

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1:23 p.m.

Morocco has subbed off star attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari in just the 22nd minute after an apparent injury. A major scoring threat, the new Bayern Munich player has three goals in the tournament. Soufiane Rahimi enters the match to replace him.

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1:10 p.m.

A great chance for Canada. Canadian striker Tani Oluwayseyi moved past the defence in the 10th minute but had his strike denied by Morocco keeper Bounou, keeping the score 0-0.

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1 p.m.

Game on! Canada and Morocco have kicked off in Houston with a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals up for grabs. It’s the Canadian men’s team’s first-ever match at this stage of the tournament after downing South Africa 1-0 in the round of 32. Morocco edged the Netherlands in a penalty shootout.

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12:15 p.m.

A roar bellowed from the crowd in Houston as Morocco ran out onto the field for warm-ups. Moroccan fans are also donning red for the game, but their cheers made it clear that much of the stadium is supporting the Atlas Lions.

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12:10 p.m.

Canada has taken the field at Houston Stadium for warm-ups ahead of their round-of-16 matchup against Morocco. Audible cheers came from fans in the stands wrapped in large Maple Leaf flags, and players clapped in appreciation as they ran out.

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11:40 a.m.

Canada’s players took to the field in Houston ahead of warm-ups, including injured midfielders Ismaël Koné and Marcelo Flores. The athletes waved to loved ones in the stands and used their phones to take photos and videos of the massive stadium, usually home to the Houston Texans.

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11:35 a.m.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch once again switched up his starting lineup, giving midfielder Niko Sigur his first-ever start in a World Cup game. Marsch also opted to go with defenders Moïse Bombito and Luc de Fougerolles, and brought midfielder Ali Ahmed into the initial 11.

11:30 a.m.

We’re 90 minutes from kickoff in Houston as Canada takes on Morocco in the World Cup round of 16. The two sides meet after Canada downed South Africa and Morocco edged the Netherlands in the round of 32. The 30th-ranked Canadians are underdogs against seventh-ranked Morocco, which reached the tournament semifinals four years ago. Later, star-studded France faces Paraguay at Philadelphia Stadium in today’s only other match.

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11:15 a.m.

Fans filtered into Houston Stadium, many clad in the maroon and white Morocco jerseys. A smattering of Canadian supporters wore flags as capes or Canada jerseys. Other attendees sported the red and white striped jerseys of the American team.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

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