07/04/26 14:33
Coach Marsch makes first substitutions
– Neil Davidson
Canada's Cyle Larin comes on as a substitute to replace Tani Oluwaseyi.Issei Kato/Reuters
Trailing Morocco by a 1-0 score, Canada coach Jesse Marsch is making changes.
He has sent on Cyle Larin for Tani Oluwaseyi in the 63rd minute in a straight swap of strikers. Larin, making his 94th appearance for Canada, has 32 career goals.
Morocco has also made two changes.Canada needs to do something. Morocco has turned it on in the second half.
07/04/26 14:32
Drake bets on Morocco in a ‘reverse curse’ strategy
– Neil Davidson
Drake is doing his bit to help Canada. The Toronto hip-hop star is making the most of his reputation for betting on the wrong horse (there’s even a website TheDrakeCurse.com). So he has bet $1 on Morocco to win.
“Won the last time … gonna try reverse curse strategy,” he wrote on Instagram.
He got a thank-you from the Canadian men’s official account.
Drake often uses his Instagram account to show off his bets. He placed a wager of $770,000 on Canada for the round-of-16 games against South Africa. Canada won, which meant a return of $1,001,000 for the rapper.
07/04/26 14:28
Nervous energy in Vancouver after Morocco goal
– Moira Wyton
Azzedine Ounahi #8 of Morocco celebrates with teammate Ayyoub Bouaddi #6 after scoring his team's first goal.Molly Darlington/Getty Images
The fans here fell silent after Morocco scored, and you can feel spirits plummeting. Heads in hands and bowed to the ground in disbelief - save for a lone pair of Moroccan fans dancing off to the side of the main screen.
There’s a nervous energy settling over the crowd, some of whom are watching through their fingers as Morocco presses Canada near the goal.
07/04/26 14:25
How many yellow cards can you get before suspension?
– Sarah Wallace
Morocco's Bilal El Khannouss is shown a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver as Canada's Stephen Eustaquio and Canada's Niko Sigur look on.TROY TAORMINA/Reuters
Six yellow cards were handed out in the first half of the Canada game - four to Morocco, one to Canada’s Richie Laryea and one to Canada’s Jonathan David.
Two yellow cards in the same game to the same player add up to a red, resulting in an ejection from the remainder of the game and a suspension from playing their next game. If a player had a yellow card entering this game, only one yellow is required to suspend them from their next game based on accumulation.
Luckily for the winning side, all cards previously accumulated are wiped before the quarter-finals. However, a player will still be suspended if they get a red card from the round of 16, or if they accumulate a yellow in the round of 16 after already having one.
07/04/26 14:22
Morocco scores in the 50th minute
– Neil Davidson
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi scores their first goal past Canada's Maxime Crepeau.Hannah McKay/Reuters
Morocco has gone ahead 1-0 in the 50th minute. And it came all too easy.
A Moroccan free kick by Achraf Hakimi went to Azzedine Ounahi and the midfielder’s shot from outside the penalty box went through a teammate’s leg and beat Max Crepeau.
Luc de Fougerolles conceded the free kick.
The goal came on Morocco’s second shot.
Now Canada has to respond. After a dreadful first half, Morocco has kicked into high gear.
07/04/26 14:09
High hopes at half time
– Moira Wyton
Fans cheer at FIFA Fan Festival in Vancouver.Moira Wyton/The Globe and Mail
Canada’s smothering first half has shocked Morocco, but it’s been a pleasant surprise for fans, who have had plenty of good reasons to hold their breath.
The crowd exploded at the half-time whistle, and hopes are high going into the second half.
“I was nervous, but then Canada made me less nervous,” said 15-year-old Ivan Rahim, who was pressed up against the barricade with a group of his school friends.
None of them expected Canada to come out so strong. “Not one bit,” said Johnny Hope with a relieved sigh.
The Vancouver teens like Tami Oluwaseyi or Jonathan David to open scoring for Canada in the second half, but say any goal will do.
07/04/26 14:08
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow cheers on … everybody
– Lana Hall
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow speaks at a watch party for the Canada vs. Morocco game in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
Mayor Olivia Chow takes the stage at Nathan Phillips here in Toronto. After soliciting two rousing rounds of cheers - one for Team Canada and one for Team Morocco - she tells the crowd “This is so Toronto!”
“We welcome everyone,” she says.
07/04/26 14:04
Rain? No problem for these two friends
– Sophia Bertuzzi
Anthony Ferrante (left) and Robert Martinez (right). The friends said they’ll support the team “rain or shine”Sophia Bertuzzi/The Globe and Mail
Anthony Ferrante and Robert Martinez came out to support Canada despite the drizzle, unlike some of their friends who “got scared of the rain.”
The pair, who have been supporting the team since the last World Cup, said they are here to support them “rain or shine.”
The friends – from Brampton and Scarborough – arrived decked out head-to-toe in Canada gear.
They wore matching Canada-themed wrestling masks and red rain boots with white laces. Ferrante opted for a Canada flag as rain gear and Martinez chose a clear poncho to top his all-red outfit.
On their thoughts on the match, Martinez, said he thinks Canada can get away with a 2-1 win, while Ferrante said, “If Canada can just get one goal and lock it down, I think they’re in good shape.”
07/04/26 14:02
Brampton soccer pride in full flow
– Olivia Grandy
Fans drum together in the rain at a watch party in Brampton, Ont.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
In-unison clapping and even the beat of a snare drum fills the Garden Square watch party in Brampton, Ont., as players get rowdy.
The rain has continued, and Kamal Kaur, who’s draped in a Canada flag, said the strong turnout despite the patchy weather exemplifies the Brampton spirit.
“Brampton has been famous for so many things, but this should be the one we should be famous for,” said the long-time resident of the soccer talent hotspot.
07/04/26 14:00
Canada keeps Morocco on the back foot in first half
– Paul Attfield
Morocco's Ismael Saibari receives medical attention after sustaining an injury before being substituted.Hannah McKay/Reuters
Canada can more than hold its head high after the first 45 minutes here in Houston. Jesse Marsch’s team has largely taken the game to Morocco, who have looked nervy and uncomfortable in and out of possession.
Case in point, Canada has had 13 touches in the Moroccan box to just one the other way. Tani Oluwaseyi had the most promising of those, taking a feed from Ali Ahmed and getting by his marker, only to see his left-footed shot saved by Yassine Bounou’s extended leg.
After that aggressive start, where Canada had all four of its first-half shots, the last 10 minutes or so became a much more physical confrontation. Both sides gave as good as they got, forcing English referee Michael Oliver to go to his pocket often, issuing two yellow cards to Canada (Richie Laryea and Jonathan David) and four to Morocco.
Morocco, the world No. 7 in the FIFA rankings, was likely frustrated with how the first half unfolded, losing star striker Ismael Saibari to injury just before the hydration break, and largely failing to impose itself on the flow of the match.
Canada will be more than content with where things stand, all square at the interval and possibly 45 minutes away from an unprecedented World Cup quarter-final.
07/04/26 13:56
Fans in Toronto welcome the rain
– Sophia Bertuzzi
A parade of Morocco fans arrive singing and dancing at a watch party in Toronto.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
Securing seven Fan Fest tickets required lots of planning, according to Jodie McCormack.
“It was a team effort - we were like ticket ninjas,” Jodie said.
Six of her family members flew from Ireland to visit Jodie. It was the first time they visited since she moved to Toronto from Ireland 20 years ago. The World Cup being hosted in Toronto marked the perfect occasion for a trip.
“We wanted to get as much of the World Cup as possible,” she said.
The family was certainly making the most out of their 10 days in Toronto. Earlier this week, they were at the Fan Fest watching the match between Portugal and Croatia.
They didn’t mind the rain this time, in fact Ivan, Jodie’s brother welcomed it.
“It’s a relief from the heat. The rain isn’t so bad,” Ivan said.
07/04/26 13:55
What are the Moroccan fans cheering?
– Sarah Wallace
Morocco fans react in the stands.TROY TAORMINA/Reuters
Every so often, a massive chant from the Moroccan fans emerges in the stadium.
Similar to the Norway’s “Viking Row,” Morocco fans chant on the Atlas Lions by saying “siir siir.” It translates roughly to “go go” and is used as a rallying cry for the team.
Canadian singer Nora Fatehi has a song for this World Cup, also called Siir Siir (featuring Vegedream and Sanjoy). It was performed in Toronto before Canada’s first World Cup game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
07/04/26 13:47
Tensions running high during first half of match
– Neil Davidson
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi clashes with Canada's Richie Laryea as referee Michael Oliver separates them.TROY TAORMINA/Reuters
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and Canadian fullback Richie Laryea each get a yellow card from English referee Michael Oliver late in the first half after the two get into it in the Canadian end.
Hakimi shoved Laryea, who has shown the Moroccan star no quarter in the game. Laryea then gave Hakimi a push.
Laryea is tough on opponents but beloved by teammates. He helps set the tone for both Canada and Toronto FC, his club team.
Jonathan David also went in the referee’s book for pulling a Moroccan attacker back.
07/04/26 13:39
Morocco’s first shot of the game
– Neil Davidson
Morocco's forward #09 Soufiane Rahimi kicks the ball past Canada's defender #04 Luc de Fougerolles.THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
Morocco’s first shot comes in the 28th minute by substitute Soufiane Rahimi after a giveaway by Moise Bombito. Canadian keeper Max Crepeau has no problem stopping the low shot from distance.
The Canadians are blunting the Morocco attack. And at the other end of the pitch they have had five corners already.
But it’s too early to celebrate. The African side is a problem waiting to happen.
07/04/26 13:29
Canada dominating as game pauses for hydration breaks; Gretzky in the crowd
– Neil Davidson
Canada's Alistair Johnston and Richie Laryea in action with Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi.TROY TAORMINA/Reuters
Canada is taking it to Morocco in the first half in Houston. And the Atlas Lions are probably happy that it’s scoreless at the first hydration break.
Canadian fullback Richie Laryea is taking a physical approach to covering Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, who has gone down several times in challenges from the feisty fullback.
Canada has already had four corners, with Alistair Johnston’s header clocked by a defender on the fourth set piece.
The Canadians are winning the ball back and then attacking.
Morocco’s Redouane Halhal is the first player to get a yellow card after catching a Canadian with his boot in a tackle as the game turns physical.
Morocco’s Ismael Aibari, who recently signed with Bayern Munich, left in the 22nd minute with an apparent injury,
And Wayne Gretzky is in the crowd at NRG Stadium.
07/04/26 13:27
Rain to kick off the Brampton watch party
– Olivia Grandy
Fans are drenched in rain as they look on at a watch party in Brampton, Ont.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
Rain was pelting down on the crowd gathered at Brampton’s Garden Square. But that’s not dampening Taksha Shah’s spirits.
The 17-year-old’s heavy-duty umbrella is outdoing the flimsy ones others are attempting to stay dry with. The Brampton resident, sporting a Davies jersey, believes Canada could come out on top.
“It might sound a bit disheartening saying that they are the underdogs, but whether they win or lose, I think they’re going to put on a great show,” he said.
07/04/26 13:23
Why are there so many pink cleats?
– Sarah Wallace
Jonathan David #10 of Canada competes for a header against Noussair Mazraoui #3 of Morocco.Lars Baron/Getty Images
Despite over 1,000 players competing in the World Cup this year, one thing might look familiar: Many of them are wearing pink cleats.
The reason mainly has to do with the bright colour contrasting the most against the green grass. No team at the World Cup has a primarily pink uniform kit either, making it the best visibility in the stadium and on television.
Nike, Adidas, New Balance and Puma all released pink cleats before the World Cup. A notable player who won’t be sporting pink is Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who’s wearing custom white, blue and gold-coloured Adidas.
07/04/26 13:16
Promising start for Canada
– Neil Davidson
Jonathan David #10 of Canada shoots against Yassine Bounou #1 of Morocco during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match.Alex Slitz/Getty Images
A promising start for Canada. Morocco has had little success penetrating the Canadian defence. And Canada has been dangerous after winning the ball back. Fullback Richie Laryea won an early corner after one such counterattack. That led to two more corners and a chance for Jonathan David, who was stopped by Morocco’s Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Stephen Eustaquio’s set-piece deliveries are causing Morocco problems. And Canadian defender Luc de Fougerolles has been imperious in the air on the corners.
Bounou then had to be sharp to stop Tani Oluwaseyi with his leg after a Moroccan giveaway. Canadian winger Ali Ahmed found Oluwaseyi, who turned to beat a defender before firing the ball at goal.
07/04/26 13:12
Loudest match in Houston so far?
– Moira Wyton
Tajon Buchanan #17 of Canada is tackled by Redouane Halhal #25 of Morocco during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match.Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The announcers say this is the loudest match in Houston so far, and I think the same goes at Fan Fest here in Vancouver.
Minutes after kickoff and the crowd is cheering every turn in Canada’s impressive start like it was a goal. Three corners, a couple scoring chances in the box, breaking up Morocco’s passes and hemming them into their own end. It’s the kind of strong start Canada said they needed to have a shot against the giants.
07/04/26 13:09
The money at stake for today’s round of 16 match
–Neil Davidson
Canada players huddle before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston.Eric Smith/The Associated Press
In addition to deciding who advances to play either France or Paraguay in the quarterfinals, there is money at stake in the Canada-Morocco round of 16 game in Houston.
Teams that reach the quarterfinals earn US$20-million in prize money, while those that lose in the round-of-16 collect US$16-million. That’s in addition to the US$2.5-million that all 48 teams received in preparation funding from FIFA.
The Canadian players are sharing in that. Under terms of their collective bargaining agreement, they received $25,000 for each of the three group-stage games. Any additional prize money from the knockout rounds is split evenly between Canada Soccer and the men’s and women’s teams.
The same split will come at next year’s Women’s World Cup.
07/04/26 13:07
How has Morocco done this World Cup?
– Sarah Wallace
Players of Morocco dash as Ismael Saibari #11 of Morocco scores the team's fifth and winning penalty during the penalty shootout in the round of 32 match between Netherlands and Morocco.Carl Recine/Getty Images
Canada is facing a giant in Morocco. It’s the second match-up in a World Cup between the two nations in as many tournaments, with Morocco beating the Canadians 2-1 in the 2022 group stage. The African nation went on to finish fourth in the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco is again showing its dominance on the world stage. It hasn’t dropped a game yet in this tournament, winning against both Scotland and Haiti and tying Brazil in the group stage.
In the round of 32 against the Netherlands, Morocco’s Issa Diop scored an equalizer in added time to send the game to extra time and then penalties. Morocco converted three of its five penalty shots to edge out the Dutch and qualify for the round of 16.
07/04/26 13:02
Today’s national anthem comparison
–Cathal Kelly
General view inside the stadium as Canada and Morocco players line up during the national anthems.Issei Kato/Reuters
The Cherifian Anthem - A real French ceremonial bopper - which is how it was written. The World Cup is a lot of things, including a deep dive into the musical stylings of 19th- and 20th-century military tribunals. Not exactly a singalong kind of song, but the Moroccan fans on hand are in good voice. 7/10
O Canada - The Canadians here - you can see small, heavy pockets of them - do their best, but it’s a big room and there aren’t a ton of them. More Americans in Mexico jerseys here than anything, and they receive their next-door neighbour’s anthem warmly, if not enthusiastically. Much better reception in L.A.
For the first time at this World Cup, the Canadian team’s support is in the clear vocal minority. Probably best not to go down early. 6/10
07/04/26 12:56
Kick off is minutes away
– Moira Wyton
Moira Wyton/The Globe and Mail
Kick off is minutes away and the main amphitheatre is packed to the gills. Reserved seating sold out last night and thousands of fans are shoulder-to-shoulder in the general admissions area.
I haven’t spotted any Morocco fans who have braved the throngs of red and white. If they’re here, they’re keeping a low profile.
07/04/26 12:53
National anthems, in U.S. style
–Cathal Kelly
General view as the U.S. national anthem is performed to mark 4th of July before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco.Lars Baron/Getty Images
They just launched proceedings with a (very nice) rendition of The Stars and Stripes on top of a huge banner featuring a stylized eagle and the number 250. Then they segued into James Brown’s Living in America.
I get it. We’re in Texas. It’s their birthday. But it takes a serious cheek to shoehorn your own anthem in front of the anthems of the two countries that are actually playing.
07/04/26 12:44
Morocco fan in Toronto says he’ll be happy whatever the result
– Lana Hall
Yousef Bellyamani and his wife came downtown for other reasons today, but the siren call of a large-scale watch party at Nathan Phillips was strong.
“I had to watch the game somewhere,” he says. Bellyamani says he’s not so much a soccer fan as a World Cup fan, but he supports Team Morocco when they make it to the FIFA finals or the African Cup. Though he’s betting on his favourite team to come out on top today, he’ll consider it a success either way.
“Morocco’s gonna win. I don’t know what the score is going to be, but I’ll be happy either way, because Canadians have a good team this year.”
Julie-Ann Pasion, left, and Yousef Bellyamani pose for a picture at a watch party for the Canada versus Morocco FIFA World Cup game in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
07/04/26 12:41
Moroccan starters feature just two World Cup veterans
–Neil Davidson
Canadian and Morocco fans cheer before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston.Eric Smith/The Associated Press
The Canadian starting 11 features just two players – fullback Alistair Johnston and winger Tajon Buchanan – who started against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Morocco won 2-1 that day, with a Moroccan own goal accounting for the Canadian score.
Five members of the Moroccan starting 11 today started against Canada four years ago.
The 2-1 win in Qatar came at the end of group play. The Canadians went home after three straight losses. But Morocco kept going, defeating Spain (in a penalty shootout) and Portugal before losing 2-0 to France in the semifinal. The Atlas Lions then lost 2-1 to Croatia in the third-place game.
07/04/26 12:36
Soccer House in Vancouver reaching capacity
– Andrea Woo
Canada Soccer House fan site at the Shipyards.Andrea Woo/The Globe and Mail
Here’s the scene from Canada Soccer House in North Vancouver an hour before kickoff. Staff say it’s approaching its capacity of 5,000 already, but there’s an overflow space with large screens.
07/04/26 12:32
Brampton fans gear up to cheer on hometown legend
– Olivia Grandy
Kiny, left to right, Diya, Soha and Manan Shah set up at a watch party in Brampton, Ont.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
After a rainy morning, rows of red Muskoka chairs are arranged in front of the big screen at Garden Square in Brampton, Ont.
Manan Shah, a Brampton resident of 23 years, was decked out in Canada gear with his two daughters and wife.
“We were planning to go to downtown Toronto, but the kids were like, ‘No, we want to go to Brampton,’” staying close to home made sense, he said.
The group is especially excited to see hometown legend, Cyle Larin, hit the pitch. Musical entertainment, including group line dancing, has broken out in the square as the crowd grows.
07/04/26 12:29
Canada fans show their love as team takes the pitch
– Paul Attfield
Players of Canada warm up before the FIFA World Cup 2 round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco.Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Dressed in black and red, Canada’s players - which included Ismaël Koné on crutches - came out to a ripple of roars from the many Canadian fans spread out around the cavern-like Houston Stadium when they took the pitch for warm-ups.
But that was quickly eclipsed by the Moroccan fans, who gave an almighty roar when captain Achraf Hakimi led his red-and-green-clad team out to stretch and play a few rondos before the match.
07/04/26 12:27
Toronto Fan Fest enthusiasm not dampened by rain
– Sophia Bertuzzi
Hi, my name is Sophia Bertuzzi and I’m a business reporter that focuses on the economy.
Today, I’m at the FIFA Fan Fest in Toronto at Fort York. Despite faint showers and a heat warning in effect, the turnout is looking strong so far.
The weather is certainly making it difficult to dress comfortably, but fans are finding creative ways to evade the rain and stay cool. Rain ponchos and Canada flags as capes are among the popular fashion choices.
Regardless, the fest will go on - rain or shine.
07/04/26 12:26
New fans dream of a final with Canada
– Moira Wyton
Some of Canada’s littlest fans at FIFA Fan Festival in Vancouver.Moira Wyton/The Globe and Mail
It’s go big or go home for some of Canada’s littlest fans, who got a prime spot at the barricade they can just barely peek over.
“I want to see them for the first time try to win the World Cup,” said 9-year-old Carson Yip, who played soccer before moving to West Vancouver from Hong Kong three years ago.
“I want them to win it for once,” agreed his school friend Dayman Wong, 7, who was also born in Hong Kong.
With infectious confidence, the two boys said Argentina would be their dream opponent if Canada makes the final - and they hope it would go to a penalty shootout.
More than their national pride is on the line today - Yip hopes a win will also help convince his mom to sign him up for soccer again.
07/04/26 12:16
Houston knows how to do hospitality for media
– Paul Attfield
Buffet inside of Houston Stadium.Paul Attfield/The Globe and Mail
Despite the heat outside the stadium – my phone says it currently feels like 34 degrees – inside of Houston Stadium I’m delighted to say the air conditioning is working, and it’s a cool place to work, literally and figuratively.
Even better, there’s a free buffet – complete with poutine - sponsored by a local government organization called Houston First. That’s completely different to the media centre in Toronto, where everything except for coffee and tea was for sale, mostly at exorbitant prices.
Buffet inside of Houston Stadium, complete with poutine.Paul Attfield/The Globe and Mail
07/04/26 12:05
Fans gather in Toronto as the bell tolls
– Lana Hall
As the Old City Hall clock strikes noon here in Toronto, more and more fans file into Nathan Phillips Square to claim a seat - or a place to stand - in front of the stage. The light rain has seemingly not scared scores of both Team Canada and Team Morocco fans away just yet.
Francisco, 14, left and Vicente, 15, brothers and big fans of Alphonso Davies wait for the start of a watch party for the Canada versus Morocco in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
07/04/26 12:03
Lineup shakeup leaves Canada with fewer international caps
– Neil Davidson
Hello, my name is Neil Davidson and I am a sportswriter with The Globe. And like you, I’ll be watching to see if Canada can topple mighty Morocco in Houston. It’s a tall order. Morocco stands seventh in the latest official FIFA world rankings while Canada is No. 30.
The Canadian starting 11 goes into the game with a combined 497 international appearances.
That’s the fewest for Canada at the tournament. The Canadian men went into the round-of-32 game against South Africa with 531 combined appearances. The number was 530 for the final Group B game against Switzerland, 580 for the Qatar game and 520 for the tournament opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.
The number has dropped without Cyle Larin (93 caps) and Derek Cornelius (48 caps) in the starting lineup.
The strength of the Moroccan starting 11 is shown by the fact that nine of the players are with clubs in one of the top five European leagues: two each in England, France, Germany and Spain and one in Italy. Montreal-born goalkeeper Yassine Bounou plays in Saudi Arabia while defender Redouane Halhal plays his club football in Belgium.
Canada has four starters from the top European leagues: Jonathan David (Juventus, Italy), Moise Bombito (Nice, France) and Tani Oluwaseyi and Tajon Buchanan (both Villarreal, Spain).
Canada and Morocco both arrive in form. The Canadians have scored in six successive FIFA World Cup fixtures, while Morocco has scored in its last five tournament outings.
07/04/26 12:00
Hot Voyageur marchers head into cool stadium
– Jesse Winter
The Voyageurs supporters march has reached Houston Stadium and most fans have headed inside. It’s now 32 degrees with 65% humidity. Some folks are sheltering in an inflatable tent with air conditioning and free water on hand.
Overall the march was high-energy, but a little less so than previous Voyageurs marches that I saw in Vancouver, and with decidedly fewer smoke bombs. Houston police kept watch over the whole route, including with officers on horseback.
I’m going to the fan festival shortly to try and watch most of the game from there, and be back at the stadium to see fan reaction when the game wraps.
I will likely also guzzle a dozen Gatorades 🥵
07/04/26 11:59
Vancouver SeaBus ready for historic match
– Andrea Woo
Good morning! It’s Andrea Woo in Vancouver. I’m currently on the SeaBus headed to North Vancouver, where I’ll be covering the Canada Soccer House fan site at the Shipyards, one of several big viewing sites throughout the Vancouver region.
The SeaBus is full of red-clad fans, beaming with hope and optimism. Across from me is a toddler with a tiny Canada jersey and matching headband. To my right is a woman in red plaid holding a Canada flag and a Tim Hortons coffee. The clouds are parting and it’s shaping up to be a beautiful day.
07/04/26 11:54
Canada’s starting lineup against Morocco
– Paul Attfield
Canada's Derek Cornelius (13) and South Africa's Evidence Makgopa battle for the ball during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif on June 28.Andre Penner/The Associated Press
Jesse Marsch has made a number of changes to his starting lineup to take on Morocco today with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Out goes Derek Cornelius, Liam Millar and Nathan Saliba, and in comes Luc de Fougerolles, Ali Ahmed and Niko Sigur, who gets his first start at this World Cup.
Marsch had said in a pre-game TV interview that Cornelius is dealing with “a little bit of a muscle injury.”
There’s still no place for Alphonso Davies, who will be available off the bench once again, while Tani Oluwaseyi – still goalless in the tournament - is preferred as Jonathan David’s strike partner.
Morocco has made one change to its starting lineup from Monday’s match against the Netherlands, with centre back Redouane Halhal coming in to replace Chadi Riad, who picked up a minor injury in that game.
07/04/26 11:52
Fans travel to Toronto for the big-crowd vibe
– Lana Hall
Mavia Jadgal, from left, Saqib Baloch, and Raza Jadgal pose for a picture at Nathan Philips Square.Keito Newman/The Globe and Mail
Long-time Team Canada fans Raza Jadgal, his son Mavia Jadgal and their friend Saqib Baloch caught the train at 7 a.m. from Niagara-on-the-Lake to attend the watch party here at Nathan Phillips Square.
Jadgal says they’ve been watching match broadcasts locally but wanted to join a bigger crowd, despite the threat of rain.
“Bigger venue, more people coming, more crowds and more shouting, so it’s gonna be more fun,” he says.
Mavia Jadgal acknowledges that “history is unfolding” as the Canadian men’s team progresses to round 16, but all three are cautiously optimistic about Canada’s chances against Morocco this afternoon.
“It’s one game, it could go either way. I know Canada is a big underdog team in this, but you never know. We have a chance.”
Canadian soccer fans march towards Houston Stadium as their their team prepares to take on Morocco.Jesse Winter/The Globe and Mail
07/04/26 11:45
Canadian and Moroccan teams arrive at Houston Stadium
– Paul Attfield
Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and teammate arrive to the stadium in Houston.Eric Gay/The Associated Press
Hi all, I’m Paul Attfield, a sports reporter normally based in Toronto, but am currently positioned in the press tribune up in the gods here at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Moroccan team has just taken the pitch and Canada’s squad has just got off the bus.
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, I’m eagerly awaiting the start of the biggest match in Canada’s men’s national team history.
07/04/26 11:43
Coffee substitute for early West Coast wake-up
– Moira Wyton
Andrey Murphy reading Russia’s Road to War with Ukraine at FIFA Fan Festival in Vancouver.Moira Wyton/The Globe and Mail
The 10 a.m. game is an early wake-up call for West Coast fans, but they’re still making do.
Amid the hubbub in front of the main Fan Fest screen, Andrey Murphy looked at peace reading Russia’s Road to War with Ukraine.
Sam Puri’s book isn’t exactly light reading, Murphy agreed, but it’s what he would be doing any other Saturday morning on his patio just a few blocks away in Burnaby.
“I’m just trying to wean myself off the phone and just get into reading,” said the casual soccer fan, who moved to Canada from eastern Russia in the early 1990s. " I’ve always wanted to read more, you know, and I was jealous of people who know how to read and love reading. So I’m training myself into it now, training my brain into it."
And with no coffee available inside the amphitheatre to complete his morning routine, Murphy turned to the next best thing: a canned vodka cocktail.
“My coffee substitute,” he said with a smile.
07/04/26 11:35
The vast-ness of Houston Stadium
– Cathal Kelly
General view inside Houston Stadium before the match.Issei Kato/Reuters
Hi, I’m Cathal Kelly, the national sports columnist for the Globe. I’m here in Texas for the day’s big game, Tech vs. A&M. But, I nipped over to the Canada game in the morning.
You get why European fans are so taken by some of the U.S. venues in this World Cup. They make ‘em big down here and, obviously, nowhere bigger than Texas.
The Houston Stadium where Canada will play today - home of the NFL’s Texans - is so big, you are not able to see all of it at once.
It holds 80,000 comfortably, which means it could hold half again as many uncomfortably.
The roof is closed. It’s 31C outside. The RealFeel is 40C. Inside, it’s cooler than I can ever get my leaky wooden box of a house.
Amazingly, the electricity required to cool such a place is pretty reasonable. A mere 784 household’s worth.
The press box sits 12 storeys over the field. This is my first-ever experience of feeling vertigo in a seat at a stadium.
It’s a Hitchcockian experience, and I’m not just talking about the stadium. That’s America all over these days. Happy 250th, friends.
07/04/26 11:18
First fan in line ‘more of a hockey guy’
– Moira Wyton
Nick Lang says he's running on "just pure adrenaline and excitement."Moira Wyton/The Globe and Mail
Good morning from overcast Vancouver! I’m Moira Wyton, an audience editor in our B.C. bureau reporting from the FIFA Fan Festival, where the gates just opened and early fans are sprinting and speed walking through the PNE grounds to snag a good spot.
Nick Lang says he’s running on “just pure adrenaline and excitement.” The 21-year-old got up at 5 a.m., skipped breakfast to grab the bus from Burnaby and was surprised to be the first in line for free admission at 6:30 a.m. PT. I guess most of the rest of the city is still asleep - or bought a reserved seating ticket before they sold out last night.
“Honestly, I’m more of a hockey guy, but since the World Cup’s been on I’ve been really getting into soccer,” the civil engineering student said. “I watched a bit of the Copa America when Canada was in it in 2024 and last World Cup in Qatar as well, but definitely the game is growing me on quite a bit now.”
And Lang, a concrete technician and co-op student, doesn’t mind sacrificing some of his limited rest when Team Canada has given him something to actually cheer for.
“The Canucks are kind of down too, so it’s nice to support a winning team somehow,” he said with a laugh.
07/04/26 11:11
Voyageurs supporters march is under way
– Jesse Winter
The Voyageurs supporters march is under way!
It’s headed towards 34C but at least the humidity is dropping!
Organizers chose a shorter route to march to the stadium because a heat advisory is in effect, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing anyone down! Smoke bombs and Oh Canada very much in evidence!
Larry Zima - from Edmonton, in red flannel. “It’s a choice, maybe not a wise one, but it’s gonna be fun!” he joked, as the march headed out into the heat.
There’s heavy security from both police and firefighters at this march, which is getting an escort along the 15-20 minute route to the stadium.
A helicopter hovers overhead, and police on ATVs are following along.
07/04/26 11:00
Watching today’s historic match from the hometown of Canada’s top players
– Olivia Grandy
Hi, I’m Olivia Grandy and I’m a business reporter at The Globe. Today, I will be taking in Canada’s do-or-die World Cup match against Morocco at Garden Square in Brampton, Ont., – the hometown of some of Canada’s top players, including Liam Millar and Cyle Larin. I’ll be there chatting with fans through the excitement and about the city’s pride for the sport.
07/04/26 10:50
Hot and humid day for fans in Texas
– Jesse Winter
Tony Mah, centre, makes Caesars at a tailgate party as Canadian soccer fans prepare to march to Houston Stadium on Saturday.Jesse Winter/The Globe and Mail
It’s so hot here! 30C and rising, and nearly 70 per cent humidity - my cameras fogged up as soon as I stepped out of my rental car’s air conditioning!
Despite the heat, Tony Mah is making Caesars as fast as he can. Originally from Vancouver, Mah now lives in Dallas and came down for the game.
“You gotta do something Canadian,” he says, sweat pouring off his brow as he hands out another drink.
There’s a couple hundred people here now, all of them sheltering in the shade of the parking garage while they amp themselves up for the march.
07/04/26 10:45
Live from a Toronto watch party
– Lana Hall
Hello Canada! I’m Lana Hall, a reporter from The Globe and Mail’s arts desk. Today I’ll be reporting live from a World Cup watch party at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto. The city cancelled Thursday’s watch party here because of the extreme heat, and now they’re calling for some rain, but I’m told today’s event will still go on. We’re also sharing space here in the square with the 9th Annual Taste of the Middle East Festival. I’ll be sharing traffic, weather and event updates as the day unfolds.
07/04/26 10:35
Tailgate fans in Houston celebrate Canada
– Jesse Winter
Canadian soccer fans (left to right) Diane Simard Vicki McLellan, Corey Bachand and Rose Bachand hold a tailgate party before marching towards Houston's stadium.Jesse Winter/The Globe and Mail
At the tailgate party as folks are starting to gather, Rose Bachand and her husband Corey unpacked coffees and breakfast snacks.
They both live in Houston, and bought tickets to this game months ago before they knew who was playing.
“It was so exciting to see Canada as they went through,” Rose said. “We thought maybe we’ll get to see them play!”
They were joined by their friends Vicki McLellan and Diane Simard, both from Maple Ridge, B.C., who flew in just for the game.
“The vibe here is so different here,” Rose said. “It’s a little even more exciting - that feeling of solidarity.”
McLellan went to the Canada vs. Qatar match in Vancouver, and challenged the Canadian fans in Houston to make even more noise.
07/04/26 10:27
Starting a historic day in Houston with a Canadian tailgate party
– Jesse Winter
Canadian soccer fans hold a tailgate party before marching towards Houston Stadium as their their team prepares to take on Morocco for a spot in the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Texas on Saturday.Jesse Winter/The Globe and Mail
Hi folks, Jesse here again. I’m a reporter and photographer with the B.C. bureau, but I’m coming to you today from Texas, where it is incredibly hot and humid in Houston. I’m starting my day at a tailgate party for Canadian supporters, and not-so-secretly revelling in the number of Maple Leaf flags being flown in the Lone Star state on July 4.
It’s so hot here that the Voyageurs supporters club organizers shortened their planned fan march, opting for a roughly 20-minute walk from the nearest transit station to the stadium. Lots of folks here are hoping for a miracle, but Canadians have faced long odds before and triumphed, so anything is possible …
07/04/26 10:19
Does Canada actually have a chance against Morocco?
– Sarah Wallace
Hi! I’m Sarah Wallace. I’m an audience editor for The Globe and Mail, the team responsible for connecting with readers like you.
Does Canada actually have a chance to beat Morocco in the round of 16? I broke down the numbers, and explained what the Canadians have going for them before today’s game in this TikTok video.
@globeandmail Does Canada actually have a chance to beat Morocco in the World Cup's round of 16? The Globe's Sarah Wallace breaks down the numbers, and what the Canadians have going for them before Saturday's game. #worldcup #CanadaSoccer #FIFA ♬ original sound - The Globe and Mail
07/04/26 10:07
Morocco’s soccer dreams fertilized by phosphate riches
Morocco players work out during a training session in Houston on Friday ahead of their round of 16 FIFA World Cup soccer game against Canada.Ashley Landis/The Associated Press
Morocco’s rise in global football is being powered by an unlikely source of funding: the country’s vast phosphate reserves.
OCP Group, the state fertilizer giant and world’s largest phosphate fertilizer producer and exporter, has thrown its weight behind Moroccan football through a National Football Training Fund launched in 2024. OCP’s recent contributions are not the start of the efforts Morocco has made to become more of a power in African and world football.
In 2009, King Mohammed VI directed the nation’s government to invest in the country’s football infrastructure, including pitches, training academies for youth, stadiums and professional coaches.
Morocco’s increasing footballing prowess is now broadly acknowledged, with the team reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and being awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after a controversial final earlier this year.
- Reuters
07/04/26 10:00
Opinion: Outmatched all over the field, Canada needs a miracle to beat Morocco
- Cathal Kelly
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, left, will cause fits for Canada's defence in Saturday's World Cup round of 16 match.David Ramos/Getty Images
A few things come to mind after Morocco beat Netherlands on Monday night, thereby advancing to play Canada in the round of 16.
The game was a defensive chess match between two of the classiest sides in world football. By comparison, Canada-South Africa was the Ferndale Middle School checkers championship. Canada will have to be far crisper today – as in, burnt charcoal black – to avoid being swamped by the best team in Africa.
Second, if Alphonso Davies doesn’t start in his usual spot, whomever deputizes for him will spend however long they’re on the field hanging off Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi like they are tied to a truck bumper.
Third, let’s hope they’ve practiced their penalties. We’ve had two games end that way as of this writing, and they’ve both been wild rides.
Everyone knew this round would get harder for Canada. But until getting the unedited, 120-minute IMAX experience of Morocco, you could not appreciate how much.
07/04/26 10:00
In Morocco, Canada gets the giant it sought in World Cup knockout play
- Paul Attfield
Morocco, the No. 7 team in FIFA's rankings, was a World Cup semi-finalist in 2022. It comes into Saturday's match against Canada having defeated one of the tournament favourites, Netherlands, in penalty kicks.CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
No one in Morocco needs reminding of the Canadian men’s rapid rise through the FIFA world rankings over the last decade or so.
The Atlas Lions have undergone much the same journey. Only better.
From 92nd in the world in June, 2015 – Canada was 109th at the same point – Morocco has surged all the way up to seventh in the most recent rankings. Along the way the team became the first African and first Arab country to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, before capturing its second African Cup of Nations this past January, albeit in controversial circumstances.
Now, following its penalty-shootout victory over Netherlands on Monday night, Morocco will head into a round of 16 match against Jesse Marsch’s buoyant Canadian squad, which breathed its own sigh of relief after a last-gasp victory over South Africa on Sunday.
Heading into the tournament, Marsch had hoped his 30th-ranked team could make a run, not only to inspire his adopted country and its many soccer converts, but also to take on one of “the giants of the world.”
Today in Houston, he will get his wish.
Led by star right back Achraf Hakimi – a two-time Champions League winner with Paris St-Germain – Morocco shocked everyone four years ago, dumping out both Spain and Portugal on its way to a hard-fought semi-final loss against France.
Since then, Morocco has become something of a global powerhouse, feeding players into many of Europe’s top leagues.
Read more about the Canada vs. Morocco match-up here.
07/04/26 10:00
How to watch Canada vs. Morocco
- Moira Wyton
Canadian fans in Vancouver celebrate after Canada defeated South Africa during a World Cup round of 32 soccer match on June 28.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
You can watch all 104 World Cup matches on television on TSN, or subscribe to stream them on TSN.ca or the TSN+ app. Check your cable package to see if you have TSN included, and find the full broadcast schedule here.
Thirty matches will be available to watch on CTV or to stream through the CTV channel via the Crave app.
And The Globe and Mail has live coverage of all Team Canada matches, as well as news and analysis throughout the tournament, which you can find here.
07/04/26 10:00
Canada fans gear up for pivotal World Cup match
Fans across the country will be cheering on the Canadian men’s soccer team as they take on Morocco in the next World Cup knockout round.
It could be another history-making match for Canada, although they will face their toughest opponent yet.
The match is taking place at NRG Stadium in Houston, with many Canadians expected to be in attendance.
Canada recorded its first-ever knockout stage win at a men’s World Cup with its dramatic 1-0 win over South Africa in Los Angeles last week.
Today’s pre-game celebrations and watch parties are taking place in cities from the east to the west.
Canadian soccer supporters group The Voyageurs has posted a list of watch parties across the country to their Instagram. The supporters will also be marching to the stadium ahead of the game in Houston.
Some fans have expressed annoyance online that the game won’t be played in one of two Canadian World Cup stadiums.
Toronto hosted its last World Cup match on Thursday, and Vancouver is set to wrap up its stint next Tuesday. Fans in both cities can still attend the FIFA Fan Festival, which will continue to broadcast games until the end of the World Cup.
The winner of today’s game will meet either Paraguay or France in a quarterfinal matchup in Boston on July 9.
- The Canadian Press