Canada aims to take World Cup to 'another stratosphere' against powerful Morocco

Дата публикации: 03-07-2026 20:33:47

Canada will have a tough test against North African side in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 matchup on Saturday.

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It was less than a decade ago that Canada was at the depth of soccer’s world rankings, an afterthought on the global stage would be the kind description, an abomination would be more accurate.

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And now, it is one of 16 teams left standing at this breakthrough FIFA World Cup, a representation of all that is good in the program, one that has taken advantage of being a host nation and played with a grittiness that has made the country proud.

Sure, they’ve landed in Houston for the biggest moment yet, as decided and lopsided underdogs to emerging world power Morocco for Saturday’s Round of 16 clash.

But now is not the time to be meek. Now is the time to play with abandon, their best hope at truly shocking the world.

“We deserve to be in the final 16,” Canadian right back Alistair Johnston said at Friday’s Match Day minus-1 press conference in Houston. “I never would have thought that four years ago (in Qatar.)

“We’re not going to be an easy out. The way we’re going to do that is by being the hardest team in the world to play against.”

Is there bravado in such talk for a country that as recently as 2017 was ranked way, way down at 120th? Sure. But there’s also a credo, a mindset of ‘why not now?’ fuelling coach Jesse Marsch’s group.

“We’ll go out there and have fun and enjoy who we are and what we are,” Marsch told the Friday press conference. “Part of the discussion (on strategy) will be to say organized but go for it, man.

“We know that Morocco is going to challenge every single thing we do and this is a team that has literally zero weaknesses. We have to try to be good at the things we are good at and see if that can hold up against an opponent like this.”

The stage is massive now, a reality not lost on Johnston or any of his teammates. So what can the approach by when it kicks off at 1 p.m. at Houston Stadium, the first Round of 16 match of this World Cup, played in front of the hundreds of millions that compose a world-wide audience?

“Play the game, not the occasion,” Johnston said

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Could there be less pressure on Canada now?

Johnston tried to simplify the task (and the ideal Canadian mindset), in facing a team that made it to the semifinals four years ago and is a better, more important and seasoned side than it was in Qatar: “It’s still 11 v. 11, the pitch is the same size and the ball is still round.”

But he also explained that even with the massive task at hand, there is the incentive of opportunity.

“We’ve created so much history, so many firsts that have obviously created a a lasting impact,” said Johnston, well-versed in his country’s history in the sport. “We know what kind of cultural impact we are having back home. But if you can find a way to knock off one of the best teams in the world and make it to a quarter final, we’re talking a different stratosphere altogether.”

So is it possible, despite all of the trappings, that there is less pressure than earlier in the tournament?

Go through the matches and if there was a knock — or more likely, a challenge — it’s that it wasn’t always easy for Canada to play with freedom in any of its four previous matches.

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In that sensational opener in Toronto, that was rescued by a late goal and a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina — staged under the pressure of a first-ever World Cup match played in the country and a delirious home crowd willing good things.

Then it was on to Vancouver and the inferior opponent of Qatar, a matchup that only ratcheted the must-win assignment. Canada prevailed there in a 6-0 blowout, but the pressure was immense.

One more in B.C. against favoured Switzerland and this too was laced with implications: Win and secure the group and home-field advantage for the next two rounds, lose and go on the road. Canada probably grew from that defeat, while also dealing with another set of expectations.

And finally in California, at the brilliant Sofi Stadium, where South Africa stubbornly attempted to test their patience in the first elimination match in our country’s history. Canada didn’t bite, however, with Stephen Eustaquio’s late goal the reward.

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How tough a foe is Morocco?

Let’s face it, victory and advancement to the quarter-final stage would require one of the biggest upsets of the tournament thus far.

Marsch was blunt about it — and no, despite attempts by Moroccan media to goad him (one actually accused him of trying to “hypnotize” the opponent with his praise) it wasn’t gamesmanship.

In all of his scouting, Marsch has come to the conclusion that the No. 7-ranked Atlas Lions are a team that will be their toughest opponent yet — and by a significant margin.

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“When you talk about Morocco, you’re talking about a team with incredible individual talent, really well-organized, great structure,” Marsch said. “The confidence that they have right now, the swagger that they’ve played with we know we’re in for a massive challenge.”

Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi wasn’t buying it, however.

“Jesse’s games, I won’t speak on,” Ouahbi said at the Moroccan press conference following Canada’s stint on the podium.

“I would also like to congratulate him on his journey so far. They are a very well-prepared team. They believe in their abilities and they are very focused. It is a very good team.”

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