World Cup 2026: Morocco step up preparations for Round of 16 clash against Canada

Morocco’s national football team officially began preparations on Wednesday for their highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Canada, with the Atlas Lions holding their first training session ahead of the knockout encounter.

The decisive fixture is scheduled to take place on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with kickoff set for 6:00 PM Moroccan time.

Fully fit squad boosts Morocco confidence

The training session brought positive news for head coach Mohammed Ouahbi, as the entire squad took part without any injury concerns.

Defender Chadi Riad returned to full training after recovering from the minor injury that ruled him out of Morocco’s previous match against the Netherlands. Ouahbi had earlier played down fears over the defender’s condition following Morocco’s qualification, and Riad’s quick recovery now provides an important boost ahead of the knockout stages.

With every player available for selection, Morocco’s coaching staff now has complete tactical flexibility as the Atlas Lions prepare for one of their biggest matches of the tournament so far.

Atlas Lions carrying unbeaten momentum

Morocco secured their place in the Round of 16 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in the previous round. Following a tense 1-1 draw after extra time, the Atlas Lions held their nerve to claim a 3-2 win on penalties.

The victory extended Morocco’s unbeaten run at the tournament and further underlined their impressive form on the global stage.

The Atlas Lions opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Brazil before edging Scotland 1-0 in a disciplined display. They then produced an attacking masterclass in a thrilling 4-2 victory over Haiti.

Focus turns to Canada clash

With confidence growing inside the camp and no injury concerns disrupting preparations, Morocco now shifts full attention toward Saturday’s showdown against co-hosts Canada.

The Atlas Lions will head into the encounter believing they have the quality, momentum, and squad depth required to continue their remarkable World Cup journey and push even closer toward another historic achievement on football’s biggest stage.