Canada will seek to exploit a potential fitness advantage against Morocco in their World Cup last-16 match after the Atlas Lions were pushed through 120 minutes and penalties by the Netherlands, coach Jesse Marsch said.
Morocco advanced after Monday’s exhausting round-of-32 tie, while Canada had an extra day to recover from its 1-0 win over South Africa. Marsch said Canada’s running data throughout the tournament showed his players could sustain the aggressive pressing game that has become central to their approach.
“We have outrun every opponent,” Marsch said, adding that Canada must now manage training loads carefully before Saturday’s match in Houston.
Canada will not abandon its high-pressure identity but will adjust its shape to counter Morocco, Marsch said. He rejected the idea that his team operates exclusively in a 4-2-2-2 formation, pointing to periods when it presses in a 4-3-3, switches to 4-2-3-1 or builds attacks with three defenders.
The main selection decision concerns captain Alphonso Davies, who made his first Canada appearance since March 2025 when he entered in the 75th minute against South Africa.
Marsch said Davies was fully fit and had immediately affected the match, but Canada had not decided whether the Bayern Munich player would start against Morocco or again be used from the bench.
Davies’ return would give Canada additional pace on the left as it attempts to reach a World Cup quarter-final for the first time.
Morocco and Canada last met at the 2022 World Cup, when the Atlas Lions won 2-1 to advance from the group stage.
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