Morocco reaches World Cup quarterfinals after beating Canada

Morocco secured a 1‑0 victory over Canada in the final group‑stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, clinching a place in the last‑8 and ending what had been a fairy‑tale run for the North African side. The win, achieved through a late goal by Youssef En-Nesyri, gave the Atlas Lions a 10‑point tally that put them ahead of the United States and the Netherlands, who also advanced from Group C.

The match, played at the newly opened stadium in Toronto, saw Morocco dominate possession and create several chances, while Canada struggled to break down a disciplined Moroccan defense. En‑Nesyri’s strike in the 78th minute proved decisive, and the Moroccan coach, Walid Regragui, praised his team’s resilience after a 1‑1 draw with the United States and a 0‑0 stalemate against the Netherlands earlier in the group.

With the draw, Morocco’s World Cup campaign concludes at the round of 16. The team will now face the winner of Group D in the knockout stage, while Canada will be eliminated from the tournament. The victory underscores Morocco’s competitive performance, but it also marks the end of their unexpected journey from qualifiers to the brink of the quarter‑finals.