Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match played on July 4 in Houston, with a crowd of 68,777 in attendance [1, 2, 3, 4]. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice for Morocco, including the opener from a free-kick routine at 50 minutes involving Achraf Hakimi, and his second goal at 82 minutes following a counter-attack assisted by Brahim Diaz [1, 5, 2, 3, 6, 4]. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a late third goal to seal the win [1, 7, 2, 4].

Morocco’s striker Ismael Saibari suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and had to leave the match. He had scored three goals earlier in the tournament [1, 5, 2, 6, 4]. Canada controlled much of the first half but failed to convert chances amid six yellow cards issued in that period [7, 2, 3, 4]. Morocco improved after halftime, exploiting spaces left by Canada, a performance adjustment credited to halftime video analysis and tactical changes by coach Mohamed Ouahbi [5, 2, 3, 6].

Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui as Morocco’s coach in February 2026, deployed Ounahi in a more advanced midfield role. "We have changed our system, so he now plays further up the pitch. He has to play more in the final third," Ouahbi said. "He is a very valuable player and able to break through the opponent's press with his runs and breaking through the lines" [5]. Saibari was used in a false nine role under Ouahbi’s system [8, 6, 9].

Canada coach Jesse Marsch said, "As well as we played, Morocco bent a little bit but did not break. The smallest details in a match can make a big difference. And if you do not take your chances when you are on top, that will cost you" [7].

Morocco has now reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament and moved up to sixth in the FIFA world rankings after the win [1, 7, 2, 10, 11, 3]. Ouahbi expressed strong ambition ahead of the next round: "When people talk about Morocco they are talking about a real contender and a major footballing nation. That is a great source of pride. We want to keep going, we don’t want to stop. We will keep the same ambition and same goal (to win the World Cup)" [6].

Canada became the first co-host nation to exit the tournament this year [1, 4]. Morocco will face the winner of the Paraguay vs France round of 16 match in the quarter-finals scheduled for July 9, 2026 [1, 2, 3].