Morocco suffered a major early setback in their World Cup 2026 last-16 tie against Canada in Houston on Saturday when top scorer Ismael Saibari had to be replaced through injury.
Reigning Eredivisie player of the year Saibari, who scored once in each of the Atlas Lions’ group-stage games and converted the decisive penalty in their last-32 shootout against the Netherlands, showed his anguish after making way for Soufiane Rahimi in the 22nd minute.
“This is a real concern,” former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live of Morocco’s plight without Saibari.
“He’s pulled his shirt over his head. It really doesn’t look good for Morocco. He’s a tremendous athlete and has that finishing ability and physical presence.”
Morocco vs Canada: World Cup co-hosts ‘near-perfect’
Saibari joined Bayern Munich from PSV this week and the 25-year-old’s injury will have deepened Mohamed Ouahbi’s concerns over his side’s uncharacteristically poor start to the tie.
Canada had almost all of the momentum during the first 40 minutes, testing Bono through Jonathan David’s shot before the goalkeeper denied Tani Oluwaseyi in a one-on-one.
“You have to take your chances,” Sutton warned, calling underdogs Canada “near-perfect”. “They had the big chance when Oluwaseyi went one-on-one.
“It was a lovely piece of skill and Bono made the save down to his left-hand side.
“You have to wonder: can Morocco continue being this bad? They’re a little bit depleted now. Rahimi will try to make an impact up top.”
World Cup 2026: Canada team vs Morocco
Jesse Marsch made three changes to his starting side from Canada’s last-32 win over South Africa, bringing in Niko Sigur, Lucas De Fougerolles and Ali Ahmed.
Derek Cornelius, Nathan Saliba and Liam Millar moved to the bench, with Alphonso Davies not yet fit to start as the captain continued his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Canada starting XI: Maxime Crepeau, Alistair Johnston, Luc De Fougerolles, Moise Bombito, Richie Laryea, Tajon Buchanan, Niko Sigur, Stephen Eustaquio, Ali Ahmed, Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi
Canada Substitutes: Dayne St. Clair, Alfie Jones, Joel Waterman, Mathieu Choiniere, Cyle Larin, Liam Millar, Derek Cornelius, Jacob Shaffelburg, Owen Goodman, Alphonso Davies, Jonathan Osorio, Promise David, Nathan Saliba, Jayden Nelson
World Cup 2026: Morocco team vs Canada
Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi made a change in defence, introducing Redouane Halhal for Chadi Riad, who has a knee injury.
Morocco starting XI: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal, Noussair Mazraoui, Brahim Diaz, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari
Morocco substitutes: Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Sofyan Amrabat, Marwane Saadane, Chemsdine Talbi, Soufiane Rahimi, Munir El Kajoui, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Samir El Mourabet, Gessime Yassine, Amine Sbai, Chadi Riad, Youssef Belammari, Ayoub El Kaabi, Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Anass Salah-Eddine
Where to watch Canada vs Morocco: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Saturday was at 18:00 BST (13:00 ET / 11:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV1.
Streaming is via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: Canada vs Morocco stats
- Canada are appearing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history and have scored in six consecutive matches across all competitions
- Jesse Marsch’s side recorded 100 final-third pressures in the first half against South Africa, which was the highest figure in a World Cup match since detailed data collection began in 2010
- Marsch is aiming to become the first American manager to progress from more than one knockout tie at the World Cup, as well as the first to win three games in the competition
- This is Canada’s fifth meeting with Morocco in all competitions, going winless across each of the previous four (D1 L3)
- They have only faced Scotland (6) and Iceland (5) more times in their history without ever winning
- Excluding finals and play-off matches for third place, Morocco have progressed from six of their last eight knockout ties at major tournaments (World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations), advancing via a penalty shootout in three of those
- Morocco are unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions and have progressed from consecutive World Cup group stages for the first time
- They completed 801 passes against the Netherlands in the previous round, becoming only the second team after Spain to exceed 800 passes in a World Cup match since modern data tracking began
- The Atlas Lions have never lost to Canada in senior men’s international football and won the fixture 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup
- That win was their first-ever meeting with a CONCACAF nation at the World Cup, proceeding to beat Haiti 4-2 during this year’s group stage
