Morocco are through to the Round of 16: on 29 June 2026 they drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in their Round of 32 tie at Estadio BBVA near Monterrey, then won 3-2 on penalties.
As Group C runners-up, Morocco came through against the Group F winners to reach the Round of 16, where they beat Canada 3-0 on 4 July 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston to advance to the quarter-finals, meeting France on 9 July 2026.
How Morocco Reached the Round of 16
At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Morocco’s Round of 32 opponent was the Netherlands, winners of Group F. As Group C runners-up, Morocco slotted straight into the Group F winners’ side of the bracket.
Morocco sealed second place by beating Haiti 4-2 on the final matchday. Brazil pipped them to top spot on goal difference after a 3-0 win over Scotland, so the two sides split into different knockout paths.
Under how the Round of 32 format works, each group runner-up faced the winner of a paired group. The full table sits in the Group C fixtures and standings, with the run-in detailed on Morocco’s match schedule and Brazil’s match schedule.
| Match | Netherlands vs Morocco (Round of 32) |
|---|---|
| Result | 1-1, Morocco won 3-2 on penalties |
| Date | 29 June 2026 |
| Venue | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
The Opponent They Beat: The Netherlands
The Netherlands topped Group F on seven points, drawing Japan 2-2, thrashing Sweden 5-1 and beating Tunisia 3-1. The in-form Oranje went in as clear favourites, but Morocco held them to 1-1 and edged the shootout 3-2.
Morocco avoided the group’s other qualifier: Japan, who finished runner-up in Group F and met Brazil in the Round of 32 instead. Sweden squeezed through as one of the best third-placed teams.
A World Cup Rematch, 32 Years On
There was history here. Morocco and the Netherlands had met once at a World Cup, in the USA 1994 group stage on 29 June 1994, when the Dutch won 2-1. The Round of 32 tie fell on 29 June 2026, exactly 32 years to the day, and this time Morocco came out on top after penalties.
With the win, Morocco moved into the Round of 16, where they beat Canada 3-0 at NRG Stadium in Houston on 4 July 2026 to reach the quarter-finals, where they meet France on 9 July 2026. We map out the wider picture in Morocco’s Round of 16 opponent guide.
Fans following the run should line up hotels in Monterrey and check flights to Monterrey early, with knockout demand pushing prices up.
Featured image: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Morocco vs the Netherlands in the Round of 32?
They drew 1-1 on 29 June 2026 at Estadio BBVA near Monterrey, Mexico, and Morocco won 3-2 on penalties to advance to the Round of 16.
Have Morocco and the Netherlands met at a World Cup before?
Once before. They met in the group stage at USA 1994 on 29 June, when the Netherlands won 2-1. The 2026 Round of 32 tie was their first knockout meeting, and it fell on the very same calendar date, 32 years on, with Morocco winning on penalties.
Who did Morocco face in the Round of 16?
Canada. Morocco beat Canada 3-0 at NRG Stadium in Houston on 4 July 2026 to reach the quarter-finals. See more in Morocco’s Round of 16 opponent guide.
Sources
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Standings and Brackets
- 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F
- ESPN 2026 World Cup match schedule and bracket
- Morocco at the FIFA World Cup
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