The World Cup Round of 16 has kicked off, with co-host Canada facing Morocco in the first match. Morocco, a dark horse in the competition, is looking to build on its impressive World Cup run in 2022, where it became the first Arab and African nation to reach the semifinals.

Canada’s Historic Run

Canada, on the other hand, is looking to make history of its own, having already secured its first World Cup win and advancing to the knockout rounds for the first time. The team will be boosted by the return of its captain and best player, Alphonso Davies.

The match between Canada and Morocco is set to take place at the Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals to face either Paraguay or France.

Morocco’s New Generation

Morocco’s team has undergone significant changes since the 2022 World Cup, with a new generation of players emerging. The team is now led by coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who has implemented a more fluid and attacking style of play.

Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and forward Ismael Saibari are two of the standout players for Morocco, with Bouaddi attracting interest from top European clubs and Saibari having recently joined Bayern Munich.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.