Immediately after the conclusion of the Round of 32, the Round of 16 stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued in Houston, United States, where Canada faced Morocco in a match that ended 3–0 in favour of the Atlas Lions, securing their progression to the next round.
Despite expectations that Morocco would start aggressively, Canada created the first real chances early on. In the 10th minute, in a one-on-one situation, Yassine Bounou denied Jonathan David with a crucial save. Morocco suffered a major setback in the 22nd minute when key attacker Ismael Saibari was forced off due to injury and replaced by Soufiane Rahimi. The first half remained physical and closely contested, ending goalless.
The second half opened quickly, and Morocco struck first. A clever assist from Achraf Hakimi was finished by Azzedine Ounahi in the 50th minute with a low, precise strike to give Morocco the lead.
Canada struggled to regain control as Morocco dictated much of the second half. In the 78th minute, Canada earned a promising free-kick opportunity, but Jonathan David failed to convert. Shortly after, Tajon Buchanan came close with a low shot in the 79th minute. However, in the 82nd minute, a sharp move involving Brahim Diaz set up another finish from Azzedine Ounahi, doubling Morocco’s lead and effectively securing the win.
In the 90+8th minute, Soufiane Rahimi also scored another goal on a counterattack, making Morocco’s victory even more emphatic.
The match in Houston confirmed Morocco’s place in the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Paraguay vs France.
