2022 World Cup Preview, Canada vs Morocco: Final Test of the Atlas Lions

JAKARTA - An excited Morocco will be bidding to reach its first World Cup knockout round in almost forty years if it beats or draws against Canada in its final Group F game on Thursday evening.

Morocco recorded their first World Cup win since 1998 by beating second-placed Belgium 2-0 in the second game. This victory alone sparked euphoria and even riots in Brussels.

Now the Atlas Lions will face their final test against Canada who will be hunting for their first win in tournament history after their first World Cup exit in 36 years.

A win or a draw will bring Morocco back to the top 16 as they did at the 1986 World Cup.

If Canada wins, Morocco will need Belgium to beat Croatia in the other Group F match to progress to the last 16 and even then by an ample goal difference.

"If we qualify for the knockout rounds, I think we will only be more dangerous", said Morocco manager Walid Reragui as quoted by Antara via Reuters.

Morocco unexpectedly changed goalkeeper in the dying moments before kickoff against Belgium when Munir El Kajoui came on for Yassine Bounou.

The team doctor said Bounou felt dizzy but would be fit to face Canada.

Canada was eliminated after losing its opening two games against Belgium and Croatia respectively but managed to score its first World Cup goal against Croatia.

Given that there is nothing else at stake in this tournament, Canada will try to leave this tournament with its head held high. The trick is to beat Morocco in its last match.

This win will also be well-remembered for the country that will co-host the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico.

At that time, there were no longer 32 teams participating in the World Cup, but 48 countries. They don't want to end up like Qatar, only to be successful in holding tournaments but not in matches.

And the victory over Morocco was the first step to signal they would not be like Qatar.

Predict the first eleven players

Canada (4-4-2): Dayne St. Clair; Alistair Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Kamal Miller, Sam Adekugbe; Tajon Buchanan, Ismael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, Junior Hoilett; Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David.

Morocco (4-3-3): Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui; Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah; Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal.

Important stats for both teams

Before this, Canada and Morocco had faced each other three times, all of which were friendly matches. Morocco won twice, while the only match ended in a draw.

Alphonso Davies scored Canada's first World Cup goal in a 4-1 loss against Croatia in the second match of Group F.

Entering the World Cup finals again after having done so once at the 1986 World Cup, Canada is seeking its first World Cup victory against Morocco in its final group-stage game.

Canada tops the Concacaf World Cup qualifying standings for scoring more and conceding fewer goals than Mexico, who are below it.

Morocco became the first African team to qualify for the World Cup group stage in 1986.

The 2-0 win over Belgium was Morocco's second win in a World Cup finals since beating Scotland at the 1998 World Cup.