This marks the sixth appearance at the World Cup for the Atlas Lions. They have got out of the group stage just once before, in 1986 when they became the first African side to reach the knockout round — losing 1-0 to eventual runner-up West Germany on an 88th-minute goal by Lothar Matthaus after topping a group that included England, Poland and Portugal.

Morocco, ranked 22nd in the world, opened its campaign here by drawing No. 12 Croatia 0-0 before upsetting No. 2 Belgium 2-0 for just its third win in 18 career games (3-9-6) at the World Cup.

The other victories came in 1986 (3-1 over Portugal) and 1998 (3-0 over Scotland).

The Atlas Lions went unbeaten in qualifying (7-0-1), outscoring the opposition 25-3.

Their roster features players with clubs in Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Turkey in addition to three from Morocco, all from reigning champion Wydad AC.

Notable players include Paris Saint-Germain fullback Achraf Hakimi and Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech. The 23-year-old Hakimi, a product of the Real Madrid academy, has 10.9 million followers on Instagram while Ziyech has 6.7 million.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who was born in Montreal and raised in Morocco, turned down an offer to wear Canadian colours from former Canada coach Benito Floro prior to playing for Morocco. The 31-year-old Sevilla ‘keeper won the Zamora Trophy last season for the lowest goals-against average in Spain’s La Liga.

Former Moroccan international Walid Regragui took over the national team in late August after Vahid Halilhodzic was fired. The 47-year-old Regragui was coming off a championship season with Wydad winning the Moroccan league and African Champions League title.

His hiring paved the way for the return of Ziyech and Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui, who had fallen out with the previous coach.

Regragui is no stranger to Qatar having coached Al-Duhail for a year.

The two captains also know each well. Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson and Morocco’s Romain Saiss are teammates at Turkey’s Besiktas.

Canada has not beaten Morocco in three meetings (0-2-1), losing 4-0 the last time they met — in 2016 in Marrakech. The only Canadian starters that day who are on the World Cup roster are goalkeeper Milan Borjan and midfielders Jonathan Osorio and Samuel Piette

Morocco has not conceded a goal in its last six international matches. And it has won 11 of its previous 13 meetings against CONCACAF teams.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com