Canada are the second lowest-ranked team left in the World Cup but a place in the last eight is well within reach.
Jesse Marsch dubbed his players ‘Canadian heroes’ following their Round of 32 win over South Africa – and from a Canadian perspective, it’s hard to disagree.
This is the first and only time Canada have made it out of the group stage, in only their third appearance at a World Cup.
Canada vs Morocco predictions
Morocco, on the other hand, made it all the way to the semi-finals in 2022 and remain a force to be reckoned with after winning this year’s disputed Africa Cup of Nations title and dumping the Netherlands out in the last round.
The North African side come into this one as firm favourites but Canada’s pluckiness may well put them to the test.
The Morocco side is made up of players who play in Europe’s biggest leagues. Canada, meanwhile, have an MLS goalkeeper, a Norwich City winger, a Fulham youngster at centre-back and a Hajduk Split midfielder.
There is a gulf in quality compared to the likes of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari and skipper Achraf Hakimi in the Moroccan lineup, but this is the World Cup where anything can happen.
Their penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands was as impressive as it was dramatic. The game was anything but a classic, lacking few clear-cut chances but that suggests Canada will have to work especially hard to get anything from this contest.
Marsch’s men – and the gaffer himself – will exhibit no shortage of enthusiasm, driven on by the prospect of making yet more history.
However, we think the quarters is a bridge too far for the co-hosts.
Canada vs Morocco score prediction
In summary, Morocco should have enough to book their spot in back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals. Their Netherlands win demonstrated they have what it takes to match one of Europe’s better sides, and Canada aren’t quite there yet.
Stylistically, Marsch teams aren’t known for being resolute defensively and will counter-press high, which should leave spaces for quick Moroccan breaks.
- Score prediction: Canada 0-2 Morocco