The Canadian men’s team has already eliminated one African nation at the FIFA World Cup, but another one stands in its way in order to advance to the quarterfinals. 

Canada defeated South Africa last weekend in Los Angeles in the round of 32 to record its first-ever win in a World Cup knockout match. Though Canada is ranked No. 30 in the world, it struggled to break down 60th-ranked South Africa, needing an injury-time goal from co-captain Stephen Eustáquio to book its passage through to the round of 16. 

Next up for Canada is No. 6 Morocco, the reigning African Cup of Nations holders who beat the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout in the previous round. 

Make no mistake about it: Morocco will be Canada’s toughest test to date at this World Cup. The Atlas Lions were semifinalists in 2022 in Qatar and took seven out of nine points during the group stage of this year’s World Cup before dispatching a Dutch side that was ranked No. 8 in the world. 

"I called preparing for Switzerland (in the group stage) a horror show, but preparing for Morocco is like a gory, horrible nightmare. I don't want to watch them play – they're too good,” Canadian coach Jesse Marsch quipped.  

“We want to be here, and we expect to be here; that's our expectation. We know that everybody's going to write us off, but in that's an opportunity. In the end we are focused on trying to really be our best for this match and deliver the best performance of our lives, and that can give us a chance.”  

Here are three things to look for in Saturday’s round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco at NRG Stadium in Houston.  

What role will Alphonso Davies play on Saturday? 

Fifteen minutes was all it took for Alphonso Davies to make an impact for Canada at the World Cup after watching from the sidelines.  

The Canadian captain missed the first three games of the tournament as he was still fighting to regain fitness from a longstanding injury before being subbed on late in the match against South Africa. 

Davies’ status leading into the World Cup and during the group stage of the tournament was one of the biggest questions facing Canada. The Bayern Munich star hadn’t played a........

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