Canada vs Morocco Live Updates: Early Setback For Atlas Lions As Ismael Saibari Leaves The Field Injured

The fourth official signals a minimum of six minutes of added time at the end of the first half. With the score still level, both Canada and Morocco have one final opportunity to break the deadlock before the interval.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

After failing to regain possession, Azzedine Ounahi takes a swipe at Ali Ahmed's leg as he falls and becomes the third Moroccan player to be cautioned. The Atlas Lions are looking like a frustrated bunch at the moment and need to thread carefully. 

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Excellent work from Brahim Diaz as he picks up the ball on the halfway line and brilliantly spins past his defender to break free. Jonathan David comes in and brings him down to halt the attack, earning a Yellow Card for his efforts. 

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Achraf Hakimi gives chase to a long ball before shoving Richie Laryea aside as the Canada full-back tries to shield it. Laryea takes exception, confronting the Morocco captain as players from both sides get involved.

Referee Michael Oliver books both Hakimi and Laryea for their roles in the altercation.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Stephen Eustaquio's corner from the right almost drops for Tajon Buchanan inside the box, but Luc de Fougerolles is penalised for tripping Ayyoub Bouaddi. Morocco are awarded a free-kick to end another promising Canadian attack.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Morocco enjoy a spell possession as they patiently move the ball around midfield, looking to draw Canada out and exploit any gaps. However, the Atlas Lions have managed just nine entries into the final third so far.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Alistair Johnston launches a long throw into the Morocco penalty area from the right, but Luc de Fougerolles is penalised for being too physical as he shoves his marker when challenging for the ball. The whistle goes, and it's been a cagey contest so far with neither side able to find any real rhythm.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Play resumes after the hydration break, and substitute Soufiane Rahimi has Morocco's first attempt of the match with a long-range effort. The strike is comfortably gathered by Maxime Crépeau, marking the Atlas Lions' first shot and first effort on target of the game.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

The referee signals for the first-half hydration break, giving both teams a chance to cool off and receive tactical instructions. Morocco have plenty to discuss after a sluggish start, with the Atlas Lions second best so far and already forced into an early substitution following Ismael Saibari's injury.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Morocco suffer an early setback as Ismael Saibari is forced off through injury. Soufiane Rahimi replaces the forward after just 22 minutes in a blow to Walid Regragui's side.

The striker has 3 goals from 4 matches and will be a big miss for Morocco in this knockout tie. 

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Redouane Halhal becomes the first player to go into the referee's book after arriving late on Tani Oluwaseyi in midfield. The Moroccan defender is shown a yellow card and will have to tread carefully for the remainder of the match.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Morocco work the ball into Ismael Saibari for the first time, but the forward is flagged offside. Canada immediately break up the other end and win yet another corner as they continue to apply the pressure.

Canada 0 - 0 Morocco

Stephen Eustáquio opts against shooting from distance and instead slips a pass into Jonathan David inside the Morocco penalty area. However, the striker is quickly surrounded by defenders, and his effort is blocked before it can trouble Bounou.

11' Min: SAVE! Canada are showing real threat here as Tani Oluwaseyi collects a low pass on the edge of the box, turns sharply and fires a low effort towards goal. However, Yassine Bounou reacts brilliantly, sticking out a leg to make an excellent save and keep Morocco level.

9' Min: Canada aren't wasting any time as they exchange a few passes at the back before launching the ball into the channel for Jonathan David. The striker gives chase, but the ball strikes his arm and play is brought back for handball.

7' Min: The Co-Hosts have upped the tempo with three consecutive corners but Morocco hold their line well and manage to clear the danger. 

There's a pause in play though as a Moroccan player hits the turf following a rough challenge allowing his teammates to catch their breath. 

5' Min: The Atlas Lions are dominating possession early on, but Canada win a corner, which is swung dangerously towards goal. Bono shows sharp reflexes to punch it away.

Canada recycle the ball back into the area, with Jonathan David through on goal. However, Bono races off his line and makes himself big to smother the chance, conceding another corner.

Canada get the match underway, but play is immediately called back by referee Michael Oliver for a false start at kick-off.

The players reset, and after a brief pause, Canada restart proceedings as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash is officially underway at the Houston Stadium.

The pre-match formalities are complete and the players are in position! We're now just moments away from kick-off in the FIFA World Cup 2026's opening Round of 16 showdown, with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

Canada and Morocco meet at the FIFA World Cup for the second tournament in a row. The Atlas Lions claimed a 2-1 victory when the sides met during the 2022 group stage in Qatar, but Canada now have the chance to settle the score while chasing a historic place in the quarter-finals.

The players are walking onto the pitch and it is a sea of red in Houston today, a combination of both Canada, Morocco fans. We're just moment's away from kick-off! 

Canada have already enjoyed their most successful FIFA World Cup campaign, securing their first-ever tournament victory, reaching the knockout stage for the first time and claiming their maiden knockout win in the Round of 32.

Jesse Marsch's side now has the chance to make even more history, with victory over Morocco sending the co-hosts into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

The biggest World Cup tournament in history has gone from 48 teams at the start of the tournament to just 16 now. 

As the race for the trophy enters its most intense phase, check out the full Round of 16 schedule, fixtures and knockout bracket here - FIFA World Cup Schedule: Argentina vs Egypt, Portugal vs Spain, And More — Check All The 'Round Of 16' Fixtures

The Round of 16 is set ✔️#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2026

Canada captain Alphonso Davies has been named among the substitutes for the second straight knockout match as Jesse Marsch makes three changes to his starting XI. Luc de Fougerolles, Niko Sigur and Ali Ahmed replace Derek Cornelius, Nathan Saliba and Liam Millar.

Morocco make one enforced change, with Redouane Halhal replacing the injured Chadi Riad in defence. The rest of Walid Regragui's side remains unchanged.

Canada XI: Maxime Crépeau; Alistair Johnston, Luc de Fougerolles, Moïse Bombito, Richie Laryea; Tajon Buchanan, Niko Sigur, Stephen Eustáquio, Ali Ahmed; Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi.

Substitutes: Mathieu Choinière, Derek Cornelius, Promise David, Alphonso Davies, Nathan Goodman, Ismaël Koné Jones, Cyle Larin, Liam Millar, Jayden Nelson, Jonathan Osorio, Nathan Saliba, Jacob Shaffelburg, Dayne St. Clair, Joel Waterman.

Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi (c), Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal; Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi; Bilal El Khannouss, Azzedine Ounahi, Brahim Diaz; Ismael Saibari.

Substitutes: Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Sofyan Amrabat, Belammari, Youssef El Kaabi, El Mourabet, Omar El Ouahdi, El Kajoui, Soufiane Rahimi, Chadi Riad, Saadane, Salah-Eddine, Sbai, Tagnaouti, Talbi, Yassine.

Canada kicked off their home World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina before producing a stunning 6-0 victory over Qatar. They then suffered a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in their final group-stage fixture but qualified for the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation's history.

Canada faced South Africa in the Round of 32, where Stephen Eustáquio struck deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 1-0 victory and send the co-hosts into the last 16.

Morocco opened their campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil before edging past Scotland 1-0. The Atlas Lions rounded off the group stage with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Haiti.

Their Round of 32 clash against three-time finalists the Netherlands saw Morocco score an injury time equaliser to push the game into extra-time before taking it to penalties. The Atlas Lions triumphed in the shootout winning 3-2 to book their spot in the Round of 16. 

A place in the quarter-finals is on the line as co-hosts Canada look to make more history against a battle-hardened Morocco side that has built a reputation for thriving in knockout football.

Stay with us for live score updates, confirmed line-ups, goals and all the key moments as Jesse Marsch's Canada take on Walid Regragui's Morocco in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at the Houston Stadium.