The last 16 of the 2026 World Cup starts with two compelling ties. Canada face Morocco in a match that will see the co-hosts play another match outside their own country, while France can further cement their favorite status against Paraguay.
Canada vs Morocco: Match Preview
Co-hosts Canada are on the road again, this time travelling to Houston to take on Morocco. Jesse Marsch’s side needed a stoppage time winner from Stephen Eustaquio to overcome South Africa, but could find that the tactical match-up of Saturday’s match suits them better. Canada will have more space to exploit in transition.
Morocco repeated their giant-killing trick from the 2022 World Cup by seeing off the Netherlands in their last outing. The Atlas Lions are a more rounded team than they were in Qatar and have the players to control Saturday’s match. Morocco still have another level to reach at this tournament.
Player to Watch: Alphonso Davies
The Bayern Munich left back finally made his first appearance of the World Cup off the bench against South Africa. If Davies is fit enough to start or even to play a sizable chunk of the match off the bench again, the tie might swing towards Canada.
Paraguay vs France: Match Preview
France might be unstoppable. Didier Deschamps’ side have flattened every opponent they have faced at the 2026 World Cup so far with their forward line of Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise scoring and creating goals for fun. Les Bleus are playing like favorites.
Paraguay, however, know what it takes to upset the odds having already knocked out Germany. The South Americans have never beaten France in four previous meetings spanning 68 years, but have a game plan that could make it difficult for the World Cup favorites to break them down.
Player to Watch: Michael Olise
By registering a brace of assists in the win over Sweden, Olise highlighted his importance to France as their creator-in-chief. He might be even better as a number 10 than a right winger.
How to Watch
- Canada vs Morocco: 1pm ET at NRG Stadium, Houston. US: FS1 / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo). Canada: TSN (Stream). UK: BBC Two (Stream). Australia: SBS (Stream).
- Paraguay vs France: 5pm ET at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia. US: FOX / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo). Canada: TSN (Stream). UK: BBC One (Stream). Australia: SBS (Stream).
France and Morocco might be on a collision course to meet each other in the quarter-finals with both teams favored to get through their respective round of 32 ties. However, nothing is guaranteed. Canada and Paraguay also have their sights set on the next round.
