Canada's Alistair Johnston and Stephen Eustaquio walk off the field after defeating South Africa during a World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
A fan holds a flag of Morocco prior to the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Canada's Niko Sigur takes part in the warm up ahead of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Bosnia in Toronto, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Fans of Morocco wait for the beginning of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Canada's Alistair Johnston and Stephen Eustaquio walk off the field after defeating South Africa during a World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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A fan holds a flag of Morocco prior to the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Eric Gay
A fan of Canada waits for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Eric Gay
Canada's Niko Sigur takes part in the warm up ahead of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Bosnia in Toronto, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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Fans of Morocco wait for the beginning of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada. All times are Eastern:
12:15 p.m.
A roar bellowed from the crowd in Houston as Morocco ran out onto the field for warmups. Moroccan fans are also donning red for the game, but their cheers made it clear that much of the stadium is supporting the Atlas Lions.
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12:10 p.m.
Canada has taken the field at Houston Stadium for warmups ahead of their round-of-16 matchup against Morocco. Audible cheers came from fans in the stands wrapped in large Maple Leaf flags, and players clapped in appreciation as they ran out.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch once again switched up his starting lineup, giving midfielder Niko Sigur his first-ever start in a World Cup game. Marsch also opted to go with defenders Moïse Bombito and Luc de Fougerolles, and brought midfielder Ali Ahmed into the initial 11.
11:30 a.m.
We're 90 minutes from kickoff in Houston as Canada takes on Morocco in the World Cup round of 16. The two sides meet after Canada downed South Africa and Morocco edged the Netherlands in the round of 32. The 30th-ranked ºÃÉ«tvs are underdogs against seventh-ranked Morocco, which reached the tournament semifinals four years ago. Later, star-studded France faces Paraguay at Philadelphia Stadium in today's only other match.
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11:15 a.m.
Fans filtered into Houston Stadium, many clad in the maroon and white Morocco jerseys. A smattering of ºÃÉ«tv supporters wore flags as capes or Canada jerseys. Other attendees sported the red and white striped jerseys of the American team.
This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published July 4, 2026.
