Canada and Morocco will clash at the Al-Thumama Stadium on Thursday in what will be their final group game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The pair will be out with the objective to win for respective reasons although one will fancy their chances more than the other taking the stakes at hand into consideration.
After recording successive defeats against Belgium and Croatia, Canada's journey at the World Cup is practically over. In fairness, the Canucks have been able to give their rivals a good run for their money although they have been unable to deliver the results when it mattered most. An agonizing 1-0 defeat to Belgium was followed by a disappointing 4-1 loss to Croatia in which Alphonso Davies became the first-ever player to score for the North Americans in the history of the men's World Cup.
On Thursday, another piece of record will be on the line as John Herdman and his charges will be eager to write their names in Canada's record books as the first crop of stars to win the country's first-ever World Cup game. Considering the stakes for their opponents, this will be a bit ask albeit doable for the CONCACAF side.
Morocco, just like most of the contingents from the African continent have massively impressed in this edition of the tournament. The Atlas Lions are among a handful of teams unbeaten after two games, with the 2-0 win over Belgium and a 0-0 draw with Croatia leaving them in second position in Group F.
Walid Regragui's men will go into the upcoming encounter knowing that a draw will suffice in their quest to secure a place in the Round of 16. On the contrary, a win could fire them to the top of the table provided Belgium defeats Croatia in the other group encounter.
Morocco are undefeated in three previous meetings with Canada in all competitions (W2 D1), most recently clinching a 4-0 win in October 2016.
Morocco have lost their four previous meetings with non-European nations at the World Cup (vs Peru, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Iran).
Canada have lost all five of their World Cup games in total (across two spells), with only El Salvador (6) playing more times and losing all.
Morocco have secured a clean sheet in their last six games in all competitions.
Morocco could become the first African side to not concede a goal in their first three matches at a single World Cup.
A win over Morocco will be Canada's first-ever in the history of the men's World Cup.
Canada does not have any injury concerns ahead of their final game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Similarly, Morocco will have a fully-fit squad ready to battle the Canadians on Thursday. Yassine Bounou asked to sit out the historic win over Belgium with illness but should be available for selection after making a swift recovery.
Canada vs Morocco: Broadcast information
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