Netherlands to face Morocco in World Cup Round of 32 match

Netherlands to face Morocco in World Cup Round of 32 match

By Bilal Ahmed

Anticipated World Cup Clash

The Netherlands are set to face Morocco in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup. This crucial match will take place at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico. Both teams have demonstrated strong form leading up to this knockout stage encounter.

The Netherlands secured first place in Group F, while Morocco finished second in Group C. The upcoming fixture is anticipated to be a significant test for both sides as they vie for a spot in the next round of the tournament.

Team Form and Preparations

The Netherlands have recorded three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding five. Their recent performances include a 1-3 World Cup victory over Tunisia and a 5-1 group stage win against Sweden. They also had a 2-2 draw with Japan and a 2-1 friendly win over Uzbekistan, with their only defeat being a 0-1 friendly loss to Algeria.

Morocco enters the match with an undefeated record in their last five outings, securing three wins and two draws. They recently achieved a 4-2 World Cup win over Haiti and a 0-1 victory against Scotland. Their run also includes a 1-1 draw with Brazil and friendly draws with Norway, alongside a 4-0 win over Madagascar. Over these five matches, Morocco scored 11 goals and conceded five.

The head-to-head record between these two nations shows only one prior meeting, a friendly on May 31, 2017, which the Netherlands won 1-2 with Morocco as the home side.

Squad News and Managerial Outlook

For the Netherlands, manager Ronald Koeman has named a probable starting XI that includes Bart Verbruggen in goal, with a defensive line of Denzel Dumfries, Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Micky van de Ven. The midfield is expected to feature Tijjani Reijnders, Frenkie de Jong, and Ryan Gravenberch, supporting an attack led by Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey, and Cody Gakpo. No injuries or suspensions have been reported for the Dutch squad.

Morocco’s coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, is set to start Yassine Bounou in goal, with Achraf Hakimi, Chadi Riad, Issa Diop, and Noussair Mazraoui forming the back line. The midfield is anticipated to include Brahim Diaz, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, and Bilal El Khannouss, with Azzedine Ounahi and Ismael Saibari supporting the forward line. There are no reported injuries or suspensions for the Moroccan team.

Coach Ouahbi has expressed confidence in his team, stating that Morocco has entered a new stage where players believe in their abilities, and opponents show respect. He emphasized that the team’s objective must now be to win the World Cup, acknowledging the need to respect every opponent. This ambition reflects the significant progress Moroccan football has made recently.

World Cup 2026: Our ambition is to win the tournament – Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi
World Cup 2026: Our ambition is to win the tournament – Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi Credit: africasoccer.com

Viewing Information

The match between the Netherlands and Morocco is scheduled to kick-off on June 30, 2026, at 02:00. For international viewers, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can enable access to broadcasts by virtually changing their location to a country where the game is being shown.

To watch the game using a VPN, one can sign up for a reputable service like ExpressVPN, download the app, and connect to a server in a broadcasting region. After clearing browser cache or refreshing, viewers can then access their broadcaster’s website or app to stream the match. For those preferring to watch on a larger screen, smart TVs and devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast often support native VPN apps. Devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and gaming consoles may require using Smart DNS or mirroring from a VPN-connected device.

NordVPN streaming online from abroad
NordVPN streaming online from abroad Credit: goal.com

A victory in this match would not only secure a place in the Round of 16 but also reinforce Morocco’s status as a contender for the title, keeping alive their quest for a first-ever World Cup crown.

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Source: goal.com