Houston, July 3 (IANS) Co-hosts Canada will clash with 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in the first round of 16 clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Houston stadium on Saturday.

Canada are coming to the contest after registering a thrilling 1-0 win against South Africa in the round of 32 clash. They finished second in the group stage with an opening draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina followed by a resounding victory over Qatar.

Morocco’s road to the Round of 16 has been challenging, with five-time winners Brazil their first opponents and a hugely creditable 1-1 draw secured. Second place in Group C saw the Atlas Lions paired with three-time finalists the Netherlands in the Round of 32. An energy-sapping 120 minutes in Monterrey was decided in a hugely dramatic penalty shootout, with veteran goalkeeper Yassine Bounou producing a crucial stop from Crysencio Summerville allowing Ismael Saibari to fire home the decisive kick.

The winner of the match will clash with either France or Paraguay in Boston.

The two teams clashed during the group phase at Qatar 2022. The Atlas Lions would triumph 2-1 in the Group F encounter thanks to goals in the opening 23 minutes from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En Nesyri as they topped the group ahead of Croatia and Belgium en route to reaching the semi-finals.

How to watch Morocco vs Canada round of 16 clash live in India

Live streaming and live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 football matches will be available on the Zee5 platform and app in India. A subscription will be needed.

Live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels in India.

Key details:

Date and kick-off time: Saturday, July 4, 10:30 PM (IST)

Venue: Houston Stadium, Houston

Referee: Michael Oliver

Squads:

Canada –

Goalkeepers: Dayne St Clair, Maxime Crepeau, Owen Goodman

Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea, Niko Sigur, Joel Waterman, Luc de Fougerolles, Moise Bombito, Alphonso Davies, Alfie Jones

Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, Tajon Buchanan, Mathieu Choiniere, Ali Ahmed, Nathan Saliba, Liam Millar, Jayden Nelson, Jacob Shaffelburg, Jonathan Osorio

Forwards: Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tani Oluwaseyi, Promise David

Morocco –

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti

Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine, Youssef Belammari, Nayef Aguerd, Chadi Riad, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal, Achraf Hakimi, Zakaria El Ouahdi

Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari

Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Chemsdine Talbi, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Brahim Díaz, Yassine Gessime, Ayoube Amaimouni.

–IANS

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