2022 FIFA World Cup: Canada vs Morocco — Preview, Team News, Kickoff Time, Probable XI, TV Channels to watch and more

Morocco will be anticipating to extend their numbers on the group stage when they face Canada in their final Group F match at the Al Thumama Stadium today {Thursday}.

Canada are sitting bottom in the group, and even if results go their way this evening, the Maple Leafs will not even make it to the knockout stages.


But with Morocco looking not-way-too-bad in Qatar, advancing to the Round of 16 would seem like a formality for Africa. But for a team looking ahead of squeaking through to the next round with a win or draw - isn’t enough. Morocco will want to win, and win convincingly, to make sure they finish on top of Group F.


If they lose too, then things will, basically, become complicated, as they would then need either Croatia to lose by at least two goals more than they do, or for Belgium to lose in order to seal a slot to the next round.


If the Atlas Lions were to lose by four goals or more, then a draw in the other group match would automatically knock them out too.


Either way, Morocco just need to kill it off as their destiny lurks in their own hands, but would be amazingly unfortunate not to go through, having already scoop points off both sides vying for a last 16 spot with them.

Morocco will be unfortunate to be paired up in the last 16 with a side from Group E should they progress, with the likes of it being Spain or Germany, so even if they are to win the group, they will still meet a very tough test.


The Maple Leafs of Canada have also been superb and easy to catch attention, creating many chances with pace out wide and presence up front, but unfortunately for them, their journey is already over, becoming just the second side after hosts Qatar to exit the competition.

Canada will hope not to finish the 2022 World Cup on zero points again like they did in 1986, but there is no doubting that there are good foundations in place and a solid youthful exuberance available to take forward to the next World Cup, which they will co-host.

TEAM NEWS

Canadian boss John Herdman might be hoping to go all out in what is actually a dead game for them and secure some points in the bag or whether to give some fringe players the opportunity to feature as they are aiming to have a feel of the global showpiece.

Atiba Hutchinson, 39, may struggle to start in a third game this week, as Ismael Kone is strongly in line to be given the nod ahead of the experienced Hutchinson.

Junior Hoilett may start with Davies moving further forward alongside Jonathan David as Cyle Larin did not make much of an impact against Croatia.

 
Morocco boss Walid Regragui might name an entirely unchanged side as he will likely stick with 10 outfield players again from the start against Canada.


PROBABLE XI

Canada: St. Clair; Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe; Buchanan, Kone, Eustaquio, Hoilett; Davies, David

Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Amrabat, Ounahi, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal


MATCH OFFICIALS

Center Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil)

Assistant 1: Rodrigo Figueiredo (Brazil)

Assistant 2: Danilo Simon (Brazil)

Fourth Official: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)

Video Assistant Referee: Julio Bascunan  (Chile)

Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martinez (Spain)

Offside Video Assistant Referee: Roberto Diaz Perez Del Palomar (Spain)

Support Video Assistant Referee: Leodan Gonzalez (Uruguay)

CHANNEL: Kickgh.com, StarTimes, GTVSports+, Globe TV, ETV, SuperSport,


KICKOFF: 15:00 GMT (3:00pm)


By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah