One of the highlights of the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 is an absolute blockbuster as the Netherlands prepare to trade blows with Qatar 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in Monterrey.
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands were electric at times in the group stage, thumping Sweden 5-1 with Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey coming into the side and shining.
The Oranje bagged 10 goals across their opening three fixtures but their defensive unit has looked occasionally fragile, conceding in every single group match so far.
Morocco’s path to Monterrey has been just as spectacular, navigating a brutal Group C to finish as runners-up behind Brazil on goal difference.
Morocco were impressive against Brazil and have Paris Saint-Germain superstar Achraf Hakimi down the right flank and Bayern Munich target Ismael Saibari in attack.
“I’m not sure if we are the favourite in the match against Morocco,” Koeman told reporters. “We need to prepare for Morocco, because it’ll be a big game. It’s a good team with a lot of quality, and they can score easily.
“We’ll play well and win the match, because now if you lose you go home and if you win you stay in the tournament,” he said.
“And of course we want to go far in this tournament.”
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Team news for Netherlands v Morocco
The Dutch did have doubts over key men Brobbey and Denzel Dumfries but both have trained and are expected to start. Micky van de Ven is likely to return at left-back in place of Nathaniel Ake.
Morocco were able to rotate the squad somewhat against Haiti so will be back to their usual line-up.
Predicted line-ups for Netherlands v Morocco
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, F de Jong, Reijnders; Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo
Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari
Where to watch Netherlands v Morocco: TV and online streams
The match kick off at 2am UK time on Tuesday 30 June and is broadast live on ITV and STV. It can be streamed on ITVX.
Stats for Netherlands v Morocco
- Morocco have already scored as many goals in three games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they managed in seven games in 2022 (6). They’re averaging 16 shots per game in 2026, up from just nine shots per game in 2022.
- Netherlands have progressed from seven of their last 10 FIFA World Cup knockout round games since 2010, though three of their last five have gone to a penalty shoot-out. Their last saw them lose 4-3 on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 quarter-final.
- This will be the second time that Netherlands and Morocco have faced at the FIFA World Cup, with the Dutch winning 2-1 in a group stage game in 1994 thanks to goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Bryan Roy.
Prediction for Netherlands v Morocco
Netherlands 1-2 Morocco
Both sides have looked good in the group stages but the Dutch problems at the back look rife for a marginal upset here.
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