Canada head coach Jesse Marsch says his facet have been superior to Morocco of their 3-0 defeat within the World Cup 2026 spherical of 16 and had made it a “privilege” for Rouges followers to help them throughout their history-making run on the finals.
Goalkeeper Bono denied Canada’s Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi because the co-hosts bossed the primary half in Houston, though Azzedine Ounahi scored twice throughout the second interval and Soufiane Rahimi added a late third because the 2022 semi-finalists capitalised on beneficiant defending to arrange a quarter-final towards France or Paraguay.
“We have been unfortunate to not get the lead,” mentioned Marsch, who guided Canada to their first two wins on the finals on their third look within the historical past of the event, chatting with TSN.
“What a privilege our followers have needed to root a staff on like this – that goes after the sport, doesn’t play defensively and reveals they are often [the] higher [team].
“What an incredible staff. I’d reasonably be us than them. Nearly as good as Morocco are, I’d reasonably be us.”
World Cup 2026: Marsch proud after Canada vs Morocco
Canada drew with Bosnia and Herzegovina, thrashed Qatar, misplaced to Switzerland and knocked out South Africa on their approach to the final 16, proving surprisingly dominant early on towards the reigning African champions, whose unbeaten begin to the event had included a draw with document five-time winners Brazil and victory on penalties over the Netherlands.
“We had 11 unimaginable performances within the first half,” mentioned Marsch, blaming “superb particulars” for Morocco’s targets.
“We have been unfortunate to not get the lead. [Morocco] have gamers who play at a giant degree. However when it comes to how we performed, the match plan, sticking to who we wished to be – what an unimaginable efficiency.
“I’m actually pleased with our guys. We went after the sport. They’re hurting proper now however my goodness, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Ounahi was left unmarked to satisfy Achraf Hakimi’s free-kick and sweep within the opener from outdoors the field however Marsch insisted Canada have been the “higher staff”.
“They made a pair extra performs than us,” mentioned the American, arguing that Canada had taken a “high staff” to “the restrict”.
“However cranking up the depth was not the problem. It was simply that they’ve just a little little bit of high quality within the last third, and we lacked just a little potential to make a play after we wanted to.
“It was one play that made it 1-0. In any other case, the sport was ours.”
Canada vs Morocco: World Cup creates ‘soccer nation’
Vice-captain Stephen Eustaquio known as Canada’s marketing campaign “superb”, describing them as “excellent” till the second half towards Morocco.
“Everyone again residence must be very proud,” mentioned the Porto midfielder. “We might have gained the sport, particularly within the first half.
“We have been on high of them. We have been creating possibilities. Set-pieces have been on level. However then from a set-piece, we type of let that slip. Then we wished to go after it and we acquired harm on transitions.”
The 29-year-old believes Canada is “lastly a soccer nation” due to the finals. “We all the time felt the love again residence from the Canadians,” he added.
“We’d like this help to go ahead. We’re going to enter one other cycle of 4 years. The kids right here want help all through the 4 years in order that we be certain we will go even additional within the subsequent World Cup.”
Canada World Cup outcomes: Full record at 2026 finals
Right here’s how Canada fared on the event, which they co-hosted with the USA and Mexico.
| Date | Opponents | Venue | Consequence | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Toronto | 1–1 | Group |
| June 18 | Qatar | Vancouver | 6–0 | Group |
| June 24 | Switzerland | Vancouver | 1-2 | Group |
| June 28 | South Africa | Inglewood | 1–0 | Spherical of 32 |
| July 4 | Morocco | Houston | 0-3 | Spherical of 16 |
World Cup 2026: Canada staff vs Morocco
Marsch made three adjustments to his beginning facet from the win over South Africa, bringing in Niko Sigur, Lucas De Fougerolles and Ali Ahmed.
Derek Cornelius, Nathan Saliba and Liam Millar moved to the bench, with Alphonso Davies not but match to be concerned because the captain continued his restoration from a hamstring harm.
Canada beginning XI: Maxime Crepeau, Alistair Johnston, Luc De Fougerolles, Moise Bombito, Richie Laryea, Tajon Buchanan, Niko Sigur, Stephen Eustaquio, Ali Ahmed, Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi
Canada Substitutes: Dayne St. Clair, Alfie Jones, Joel Waterman, Mathieu Choiniere, Cyle Larin, Liam Millar, Derek Cornelius, Jacob Shaffelburg, Owen Goodman, Alphonso Davies, Jonathan Osorio, Promise David, Nathan Saliba, Jayden Nelson
World Cup 2026: Canada vs Morocco stats
- Canada have been showing within the World Cup knockout rounds for the primary time of their historical past and had scored of their earlier six matches throughout all competitions
- Marsch’s facet recorded 100 final-third pressures within the first half towards South Africa, which was the very best determine in a World Cup match since detailed knowledge assortment started in 2010
- Marsch was aiming to develop into the primary American supervisor to progress from a couple of knockout tie on the World Cup, in addition to the primary to win three video games within the competitors
- This was Canada’s sixth assembly with Morocco in all competitions, going winless throughout every of the earlier 4 (D1 L3)
- They’ve solely confronted Scotland (6) and Iceland (5) extra occasions of their historical past with out ever successful
- Excluding finals and play-off matches for third place, Morocco have progressed from seven of their final 9 knockout ties at main tournaments (World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations)
- Morocco are unbeaten of their final 10 matches in all competitions
- They accomplished 801 passes towards the Netherlands within the earlier spherical, turning into solely the second staff after Spain to exceed 800 passes in a World Cup match since trendy knowledge monitoring started
- The Atlas Lions have by no means misplaced to Canada in senior males’s worldwide soccer and gained the fixture 2-1 on the 2022 World Cup
- That win was their first-ever assembly with a CONCACAF nation on the World Cup, continuing to beat Haiti 4-2 throughout this 12 months’s group stage
