Morocco beats Canada 3-0 to reach World Cup quarterfinals, extends unbeaten run to 34 games
Morocco secured a 3-0 victory over Canada in the Round of 16 at NRG Stadium in Houston, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and extending their unbeaten streak to 34 matches.
Match summary
Morocco secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada in the first Round of 16 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, in the 50th and 82nd minutes, and Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time (90+8). The result sends Morocco to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Paraguay versus France. Canada, one of three co-hosts, becomes the first host nation eliminated from the tournament.
- Match begins at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
- Morocco's Ismael Saibari leaves the pitch injured.
- Azzedine Ounahi scores the opening goal from an Achraf Hakimi free-kick.
- Ounahi scores his second after a counter-attack led by Brahim Diaz.
- Soufiane Rahimi seals the 3-0 victory in stoppage time.
Morocco's relentless march
The win extended Morocco's unbeaten run to 34 consecutive matches, a streak that includes their historic semifinal appearance in 2022. Despite a slow start that saw Canada create early chances through Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi, Morocco grew into the game. Goalkeeper Yassine Bono, born in Montreal, denied both opportunities. Morocco lost top scorer Ismael Saibari to injury in the 22nd minute, but the team regrouped. The match produced a statistical oddity: Morocco became the first team to win a World Cup knockout game with only five shots, and the first half featured more yellow cards than shots on target, a tournament first.
Canada's campaign ends with pride
Canada's elimination does not overshadow a breakthrough tournament. The team earned its first World Cup point, first win, and first knockout stage appearance, rising from 112th in the FIFA rankings a decade ago to a record 30th. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the achievement "unforgettable" and said it would be "forever etched in our collective memory." Defender Kamal Miller noted the significance for football in a country dominated by ice hockey. Star player Alphonso Davies missed the match, and Canada struggled to convert early pressure into goals.
Coaches react
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi dismissed any underdog label.
He also pushed back on Canada coach Jesse Marsch's claim that his side was better in the first half:We are no longer a surprise. This is just the beginning. I hope we continue to make campaigns like this in the coming years.
Marsch acknowledged Morocco's efficiency:It's hard to say they were better when you lose 3-0.
They were lethal in the chances they created, and we failed in the decisive moments.
What's next
Morocco awaits the Paraguay-France winner, with a quarterfinal berth already secured. The team's blend of tactical discipline and individual brilliance, led by captain Achraf Hakimi and playmaker Brahim Diaz (who now holds the record for most assists by an African player in World Cup knockout stages, with four), makes them a formidable opponent. Canada exits with heads held high, having transformed the nation's football landscape.
