Canada vs Morocco, FIFA World Cup 2022, Today Match Prediction

Canada vs Morocco Match Prediction & Analysis

Like the other North American nations at this tournament, Canada have been rather disappointing in not winning a game so far.

Much was made of their progress over the past few years although that hasn’t materialised at this World Cup. They, like Mexico and the United States, will hope to improve further ahead of the tournament they host in 2026.

The Canadians have the opportunity to go out on a high here, albeit having nothing but pride to play for. Their actions can certainly help shape the rest of Group E though, with their opponents needing a result.

Morocco must avoid defeat to progress to the Round of 16, which will have been expected when the groups were initially drawn up. 

One of Croatia or Belgium, or both, will drop points in their fixture, so a draw or better for Morocco would see them qualify. A win could even see them top the group, which would be one of the surprises of the tournament.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Canada Preview

FIFA Ranking: 41

Predicted Finish: Group Stage

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Have nothing to lose in final game

     Pace and power could see them create chances

Reasons to be fearful:

     Fell apart after leading Croatia for 30 minutes

     May rotate their squad here to give players gametime

It all looked so promising at one stage for Canada against Croatia in their second group game.

Having taken the lead, they remarkably held onto it for 30 minutes before they just couldn’t hold out any longer. Croatia turned on the power they showed in the 2018 World Cup and blew them away.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of, although Canada will be left wondering what could have been if they had taken their chances at this tournament. They had enough of them to beat Belgium in their opener, too.

Here, you wonder what tactics they’ll employ with essentially nothing riding on the game for them. Do they go all out and try and blitz Morocco off the park, or do they rotate in players who haven’t had much gametime?

Cyle Larin has been rather quiet at this tournament, so Junior Hoilett may return to the line-up.

Star Man – Alphonso Davies

Has a World Cup goal to his name and could have had another if he’d scored his penalty against Belgium, which would have seen them take the lead.

Morocco Preview

FIFA Ranking: 22

Predicted Finish: Round of 16

Reasons to be cheerful

     Will qualify with a point here

     Haven’t conceded a goal at this tournament so far

Reasons to be fearful

     Can they handle the pressure of the final game?

     Fitness concerns over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou

Morocco are in good company at this World Cup – Brazil are the only other team to have not conceded a goal at this tournament so far.

While that is incredible in itself, even more fascinating is that Morocco look set to beat either Croatia or Belgium to a place in the Round of 16, which would be a remarkable achievement.

To reach the knockout stages, which Morocco last accomplished in 1986, ahead of the 2018 runners-up or the second-best team in the world according to the FIFA rankings, would be one of Morocco’s best achievements.

There was some drama before the start of their win over Belgium, when goalkeeper Bounou failed a late fitness test. Mohamedi came in and kept well, but it remains to be seen who will take the gloves here.

Other than that, you would expect their manager to keep the same team here in this crucial game.

Star Man – Hakim Ziyech

Chelsea’s almost forgotten man played brilliantly for his country in the win over Belgium. His late assist helped secure the points, but he was lively throughout.