45 1' - Six minutes have been added on for stoppages! Canada are growing increasingly frustrated despite dominating possession. Meanwhile, Morocco have simply not been able to click with their new-look frontline since Saibari's early injury.

39' TEMPERS FLARE IN HOUSTON! A brawl erupts on the pitch. Achraf Hakimi flies in with a late, cynical challenge on Richie Laryea, and Ali Ahmed immediately takes exception to it, confronting the Moroccan captain. There is plenty of pushing and shoving before both sets of players rush in to separate them. Hakimi rightfully picks up a yellow card for his troubles.

36' Canada have generated an xG of 0.46 so far, a clear sign of their early dominance. Conversely, Morocco's lack of bite is highlighted by a meager 0.02 xG. Meanwhile, there is another major injury concern for the Atlas Lions as Noussair Mazraoui goes down, clutching his abdomen in pain.

30' Morocco are suddenly enjoying a decent spell of possession after the hydration break. They have noticeably increased the intensity of their pressing, and Canada look to be falling victim to the familiar trend of teams losing momentum immediately after a cooling break.

27' Play resumes after the hydration break! Morocco immediately press high to win the ball back. Rahimi receives a sharp pass from Neil El Aynaoui and turns quickly before unleashing a shot. However, his effort takes a deflection and loops comfortably into the arms of the goalkeeper.

20' HUGE BLOW FOR MOROCCO! Ismael Saibari is forced off due to an injury. The medical team rushes out to check on him before signaling to the bench that he cannot continue. Sofiane Rahimi comes on to replace him in the attacking line. A massive, unexpected setback for the Atlas Lions so early in this match!

15' Morocco have failed to establish any control in the midfield so far. Canada are completely dictating play in the center, while putting the electric pace of David and Buchanan to excellent use.

10' SAVED BY BOUNOU! Canada are absolutely all over Morocco inside the opening ten minutes in Houston. Ali Ahmed intercepts a loose ball and slides it beautifully into the path of Jonathan David. Canada's joint-record goalscorer takes a deft touch, turns sharply toward goal, and fires a shot that is heroically saved by Bounou. Morocco have been completely stunned here!

5' Back-to-back corners for Canada! Eustaquio's first delivery is punched away cleanly by Bounou. The second one, floated in by the Canada captain from the opposite side, is deflected toward the center of the box, but Morocco manage to clear their lines. A very surprising start here!

3' An early spell of possession here for Morocco. Canada manage to win it back inside the Moroccan half, though! Stephen Eustaquio immediately spreads it wide for Richie Laryea-but his cross is deflected behind for a corner kick.

We are underway in Houston after an initial false start from Canada. There is a massive Moroccan presence in the stadium tonight, and they are making all the noise now that the whistle has blown.

The players emerge from the tunnel for the national anthems. Canada's will be up first, followed by Morocco's. We are just moments away from kickoff here in Houston!

Morocco are unbeaten in the four previous encounters between the two sides. They last met in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, where Morocco walked away with a 2-1 victory. However, Canada have made incredible strides since that tournament.

Morocco earned its place in the round of 16 after edging the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The Atlas Lions are seeking a second consecutive World Cup quarterfinal appearance after making history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Jesse Marsch decides to keep star defender Alphonso Davies on the bench! The left-back recently returned from injury, and the manager clearly wants to ease him back into action. Nonetheless, it's a massive call from the Canada boss!

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his team must play their best football to survive against Canada, warning that there is no margin for error in the knockout stage.

"This will be a difficult match, a very difficult match," Ouahbi said. "We are playing in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The team we are facing is a very good team. If we are not at our level, we will return home."

Hello and welcome! Thanks for tuning into NDTV for our live blog of the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash between tournament co-host Canada and Morocco. This marks the opening game of the Round of 16, coming to you live from Houston.

A second-place finish in Group B behind Switzerland forced Canada onto American soil for the remainder of the tournament. A first-ever knockout victory followed against South Africa, thanks to Stephen Eustaquio's late strike in Los Angeles. However, their biggest challenge so far comes in the form of Morocco-the reigning AFCON champions and semifinalists from the last World Cup in Qatar.

Canada XI: Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Bombito, Laryea, Sigur; Eustaquio, Ahmed, Buchanan; David, Oluwaseyi.

Subs: St Clair, Goodman, Jones, Waterman, Cornelius, Davies, Choiniere, Millar, Shaffelburg, Osorio, Saliba, Larin, P.David, Nelson

Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Mazraoui, Diop, Halhal; Saibari, Bouaddi, Ounahi, El Aynaoui, El Khannouss; Diaz

Subs: El Kajou, Tagnaouti, Saadane, El Ouahdi, Riad, Belammari, Salah-Eddine, Amrabat, Talbi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Rahimi, Sbai, El Kaabi, Amaimouni.

Hello and welcome! Thanks for tuning into NDTV for our live blog of the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash between tournament co-host Canada and Morocco. This marks the opening game of the Round of 16, coming to you live from Houston.