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A look at Morocco, Canada’s Round of 16 World Cup opponent

A look at Morocco, Canada's Round of 16 World Cup opponent | iNFOnews.ca
Morocco's Ismael Saibari (11) scores from the penalty spot during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Morocco

Nickname: The Atlas Lions

Head coach: Mohamed Ouahbi

FIFA world ranking (official): No. 7

Best World Cup result: Fourth place, 2022

Key players: Attacking midfielder/forward Ismael Saibari scored a goal in each of Morocco’s three group-stage games. Defender and captain Achraf Hakimi, forward Brahim Diaz and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou are other players to watch.

Last meeting: Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in their final group-stage game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Canadian connection: Bounou was born in Montreal to Moroccan parents. The family relocated to Casablanca when he was three.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2026.

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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