FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Canada vs. Morocco Thursday, December 1 at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar​


The Canadian men's national team has one final opportunity for points at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, as they take on Morocco on the final matchday of Group F.

Canada find themselves, unfortunately, eliminated from knockout round contention, having lost to Belgium and Croatia in their prior two matches. Still, the message from their camp is one of positivity, as John Herdman and co. remain motivated to earn Canada's first-ever win at a men's World Cup.

Alphonso Davies made history on Sunday by scoring Canada's first goal at the competition, but considering it was only prelude to a 4-1 loss, he told media on Wednesday that he and his teammates are hungry for much more this time around.

"The motivation is there. Just being at the World Cup is motivation enough for this team. Each and every time we step on the pitch, we bring our motivation, we bring our fight to every game. Knowing that we're not making it to the next round, that's motivation to us to at least go out there and try to get something from this game."


RELATED: CanMNT vs. Morocco: 3 things to watch in Canada's final World Cup 2022 match


Standing in their way is an impressive Morocco side who find themselves undefeated so far at this tournament. They began with a 0-0 draw against Croatia in which they looked the better side, and followed that up with a shock 2-0 win against Belgium on Sunday.

They have their sights set firmly on advancing to the knockout round for the first time since 1986, which they could do with a win or a draw against Canada, regardless of what happens in the other Group F match between Belgium and Croatia. This is Morocco's sixth appearance at the men's World Cup, and a result on Thursday would mean just their second appearance in the round of 16.

Manager Walid Regragui told media on Wednesday that his side is by no means taking Canada lightly, well aware of the Canadians' desire to make history of their own. He insisted that his side will certainly not be content with playing for a draw. "We'll have the same plan as we used to have, we're always there to win," he said. "We'd be mistaken if we went in with a different mindset. We know the Canadians want to make their own history, and for me it's one of the best squads in this championship. Very intense, very great players. They're not going to make it easy on us."
The Atlas Lions, led by Regragui, are ranked 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings -- second-highest among African teams. Their squad features a number of exceptional star players, beginning with Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, who recently rejoined the Moroccan national team setup after a brief departure earlier in 2022 due to a falling-out with former manager Valid Halilhodžić.


RELATED: World Cup 2022: Morocco Team Guide || World Cup 2022: Morocco Player Profiles


Ziyech forms half of one of the most dangerous right sides at this World Cup, playing just in front of Paris Saint-Germain fullback Achraf Hakimi -- who used to go directly head-to-head with Davies at Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Speaking of Davies, his Bayern Munich teammate Noussair Mazraoui will likely be Hakimi's fullback partner on the left, having apparently recovered from an injury in Morocco's first game.

The Moroccans have an abundance of pace and quality on the wings -- much like Canada, in some respects -- but their midfield is also difficult to play through, anchored by Fiorentina stalwart Sofyan Amrabat, perhaps the team's most impressive player so far at this World Cup.

Although Canada entered the group stage hoping they'd still be alive by this third match, it won't be entirely meaningless as they continue to hunt for their first points at the men's World Cup.

Morocco may be the lowest-ranked opponent Canada will play in Group F, but they've arguably been the most consistently strong team through two matches. Regardless of outcome, this will surely be another top-level test for Herdman and his squad to finish off their time in Qatar.


PROJECTED STARTING XIs​


Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saïss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal

Canada: Borjan; Johnston, Vitória, Miller; Laryea, Piette, Osorio, Adekugbe; Buchanan, David, Davies​

ALL-TIME SERIES​


Canada wins: 0 || Morocco wins: 2 || Draws: 1

Last meeting:

October 11, 2016: Morocco 4-0 Canada​

MATCH OFFICIALS​

Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
ARs: Rodrigo Figueiredo (BRA), Danilo Simon (BRA)
Fourth Official: Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN) Video Assistant Referee: Julio Bascuñan (CHI)​

KEY QUOTES​



"It's a real opportunity for our players, for our country to keep stepping forward. As a group we've tactically, and with our identity, took some big steps in this tournament... We'll stay committed to our identity and we'll go into this match with an opportunity to make some more history." -- Canada head coach John Herdman

"Knowing Morocco needs to win the game to move on, we're not gonna make it easy. We're gonna go out there like it's the first game of the tournament and play as hard and as strong as possible." -- Canada forward Alphonso Davies

"I think it will be a very difficult game. It will be as if we're playing a final tomorrow. We're coming up against a team that has nothing to lose, they're already out of the competition therefore it is up to them to hold their heads up high and get their first points from the competition." -- Morocco head coach Walid Regragui

"It is a childhood dream to participate in the World Cup.. It is absolutely incredible, it is a source of pride for me to wear the Moroccan jersey and to play for Morocco." -- Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannous​

Continue reading...