FIFA WC 2026: Morocco knock out co-hosts Canada with commanding 3-0 victory

Morocco produced a ruthless second-half display to seal a 3-0 victory in Houston and book their place in the quarter-finals in the 2026 FIFA World Cup defeating co-hosts Canada.

Canada made a bright start and dominated the early exchanges but failed to convert their pressure into goals. Morocco struggled to establish a foothold in the opening stages, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou producing superb one-on-one saves to deny Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi within the first 11 minutes.

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As the first half grew increasingly physical, the referee handed out seven yellow cards. Tensions boiled over in the 40th minute when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi shoved Richie Laryea following a chase for a long ball, capping an ill-tempered opening period.

Morocco emerged a transformed side after the break and broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half. From a well-worked free-kick routine, Hakimi cut the ball back to Azzedine Ounahi, who was afforded too much space on the edge of the area and calmly guided his finish beyond Maxime Crépeau.

Canada responded by committing numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but Morocco’s defence stood firm. Despite registering 30 touches inside the Moroccan penalty area, the hosts managed only three shots on target throughout the match, with just one coming after the opening 11 minutes.

Morocco doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute through Ounahi, who completed his brace after a swift counterattack, coolly finishing past Crépeau. Soufiane Rahimi then put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, racing through to slot home after earlier seeing a looping header strike the crossbar.

The defeat brings an end to Canada’s finest men’s World Cup campaign, one that delivered the nation’s first World Cup point, first victory, first knockout qualification, and first Round of 16 win. Captain Alphonso Davies, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, was not in attendance.

Morocco will face France on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.