The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters the knockout stage on Sunday with several mouth-watering Round of 32 fixtures, but the showdown between Morocco and the Netherlands is already emerging as one of the standout ties.
Morocco, one of Africa’s leading representatives at the tournament, will take on Group F winners, the Netherlands, in a contest expected to test the ambitions of both sides as they bid for a place in the last 16.
The North Africans progressed to the knockout stage after an impressive group campaign and will be aiming to build on their growing reputation on the world stage against the eighth-ranked Dutch side.
Morocco currently sits seventh in the latest FIFA rankings, underlining how closely matched the two teams are heading into the encounter.
Former France international Patrick Vieira believes Morocco possess the quality to spring a surprise at the tournament.
“I think Morocco can be the team that can cause a surprise and I think they have enough individual quality to be in the last eight,” Vieira said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“But outside of Morocco, I think it will be difficult for all the other smaller nations to go through and get to the last four.”
The Round of 32 also features several heavyweight encounters involving tournament favourites.
Brazil will face Japan on June 29, while Germany takes on Paraguay later the same day. France will battle Sweden on June 30, with Argentina meeting Cape Verde on July 3.
Co-hosts the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, while South Africa open the knockout phase against Canada on Sunday.
Confirmed Round of 32 fixtures
Sunday, June 28
South Africa vs Canada
Monday, June 29
Brazil vs Japan
Germany vs Paraguay
Tuesday, June 30
Netherlands vs Morocco
Côte d’Ivoire vs Norway
France vs Sweden
Thursday, July 2
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Friday, July 3
Australia vs Egypt
Argentina vs Cape Verde
Several Round of 32 fixtures are yet to be confirmed, with the final group matches expected to determine the remaining qualifiers and pairings.
