Canada vs Morocco Predicted Lineups: Davies Eyes First Start in World Cup Last-16

Alphonso Davies is pushing to start his first match of the 2026 World Cup as Canada face Morocco in the last-16 on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Houston Stadium. Canada, now under the leadership of Jesse Marsch, have never before reached this stage of a World Cup, but will face their toughest opposition of the summer so far in Morocco, the disputed AFCON champions.

Davies' Injury Comeback

Davies of Bayern Munich came into the tournament nursing an injury and sat out the group stage in its entirety, but made his comeback off the bench in last week’s round-of-32 victory over South Africa. He looked exceedingly rusty as he played his first competitive minutes since May 6, but Marsch said he was pleased with his impact. “We will be thinking about how to use Alphonso again in this game (vs Morocco), whether from the start or off the bench,” he said.

It is not entirely clear whether Davies is fit enough to start, but Marsch will need as strong a squad as possible on the pitch if he is to have any hope of turning over Morocco, and may well gamble on starting with his captain in the side.

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Team News and Injuries

Elsewhere, Marsch has little need to rotate, with Ismael Kone the only absentee after he broke his leg in a nasty tackle during a group stage defeat of Qatar. Stephen Eustaquio was the hero goalscorer against South Africa and will keep his place, with strikers Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi also looking to get their names on the scoresheet. At the other end, Maxime Crepeau impressed against Bafana Bafana and will continue between the sticks.

Morocco's Squad Status

Morocco, meanwhile, have reached this stage of the tournament without picking up any injuries, but they may be pushed into some rotation after requiring penalties to dump the Netherlands out of the last-32. Achraf Hakimi played 120 minutes and missed a spot-kick, but is a mainstay and wears the captain’s armband, so really cannot be left out. Central midfielder Neil El Aynaoui has enjoyed an impressive tournament but could make way for fresher legs in Strasbourg’s Samir El Mourabet here. There may also be rotation in the front four, with Chemsdine Talbi pushing for a start. Ismael Saibari has been on form this campaign and should keep his place despite playing the full last-32 tie.