Canada and Morocco Draw 0-0 in World Cup Round of 16 Opener in Houston

Canada and Morocco faced off in the first Round of 16 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday evening. The game ended in a goalless draw after the first half, with both teams vying to become the first to advance to the quarterfinals. The winner will face the victor of the France versus Paraguay match later that night.

Canada's coach Jesse Marsh started the match with Moiz Bomboito in the lineup, while Alfonso Davies, who had played in the previous round, began on the bench. Morocco made a slight change due to the partial injury of defender Rady Riyad, with Radouane Halhal replacing him in defense. Other than that, Morocco's lineup remained unchanged under coach Mohammed Wahbi.

The match was officiated by English referee Michael Oliver. Both teams employed solid formations, with Canada using a 4-4-2 setup and Morocco a 4-3-3. The tightly contested game left the outcome undecided at halftime, setting the stage for a tense second half as both sides seek to secure a place in the last eight of the tournament.