Throughout the World Cup, the benches were decorated with banners bearing the name and colors of each country. They traveled as did the teams, arriving just ahead of them. Each game used the same banner, like a battle flag. It’s more than just oatmeal. They became talismans.
On Saturday, Canada’s banner was there again, stretched across the Houston Stadium dugout next to Morocco’s daunting, deeper red hue. Forty-eight banners were produced for this World Cup; by the start of the match, only 16 of them had seen the light of day. Germany was packed. Croatia, Uruguay and the Netherlands also no longer needed theirs.
Now Canada will be folded for the last time. A 3-0 defeat ended our men’s use of the ball and their hopes of sending it to Boston for the quarter-finals.
“We put all that aside,” said Alistair Johnston. “We played with that Canadian honesty and toughness that I think really resonates with people back home… We know how important it is to play like that.”
(Chris Jones/CBC)
From the start of this epic and expansive tournament, the round of 16 felt like the high point for this team. This is very good, much better than ever. Back in 2017, Team Canada was ranked 120th. They came into Saturday’s match in 30th place, an incredible climb.
But the gap between them and Morocco, which fell overnight from sixth to seventh in the FIFA rankings, remains as undeniable as gravity. This team made history and that was all the history they could make.
“The little details matter when you’re in control of the game,” head coach Jesse Marsh said, “and being the one who makes those plays and being aware of those details makes the difference.”
Canada opened the game in an almost shockingly low-key manner. For the entire tournament, Marsh prescribed urgency, pace, haste. He wanted everything done in a hurry, without giving the opposition a chance to organize. Canada could not compete in technology; the games that mattered were athleticism and desire.
WATCH | Soccer North Summary:
Canada was eliminated from the World Cup after losing 3-0 to Morocco in Houston.
Soccer North covers Canada’s historic round of 16 match against Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup right after the game. Amy Walsh and Shireen Ahmed join Donnovan Bennett to break down the depths of Canada’s 3-0 loss to Morocco.
Canada should have led at halftime
A new Canada began to take shape against Morocco. Our people kept moving. They also seemed patient and analytical.
They missed the ball and the Moroccans were much more efficient in their movements with and without the ball. But the Canadians took their best chances early on, including Tanya Oluwaseyi’s golden chance in the first half, which was saved by Montreal native Yassine Bounou.
It was hard to imagine, but Canada should have been leading by halftime.
“We have a very good chance in the first half,” said Steven Estacio, “a very good chance. If we score it, we will put the game on our terms and play the football we want to play.”
Instead, the game settled into a more nervous rhythm of restrained attack and incomplete counter-attack. Premier League player Michael Oliver officiated the game with intensity, causing the game to stutter. There were six yellow cards in the first half alone, four from the disappointed Moroccans. That the game was still scoreless at half-time may have been victory enough.
Canada’s goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau lost to Moroccan goalkeeper Azzedine Ounahi. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)
One mistake
The second half started less optimistically for the Canadians. It seemed that one mistake could change everything.
In the 50th minute I made one mistake.
Luc de Fougerolles made a tough and necessary tackle deep in Canadian territory, resulting in a free kick just short of the corner flag. Most of the players crowded into the penalty area, the Canadian team was expecting a shot on goal. Instead, there was a perfectly thought-out deception: a low, soft ball into the penalty area.
Jonathan David, a little caught off guard, almost intercepted the ball but Azzedine Unahi found it instead. He struck a stunning shot low and to the left of a diving Maxime Crepeau. He had no chance to escape, and David was left with his hands on his head.
“It’s disappointing,” Johnston said. “It’s a simple and cheap goal to give up.”
This proved the difference. Canada had to push to level the score by reverting to their lower and frantic state, but Morocco, confident and experienced, did not allow it. The minutes passed, each one evaporating faster than the previous one.
Unahi scored his second goal in the 82nd minute and that was it. Another death didn’t mean much except for the record books. Morocco was already heading to Boston.
The Canadians were heading home.
Canadian Promise David collided with Moroccan goalkeeper Yacine Bounou. (Thomas Koex/AFP via Getty Images))
Alphonso Davies will not be able to play
In the weeks and months ahead, a collection of nagging “what ifs” will hang in the air where desires once were.
Alphonso Davies, Canada’s oft-injured captain, only came on as a substitute in one game and looked unsure of himself when he did so. (He was sitting on the bench against Morocco. “I felt something in training,” he said. “I wasn’t there yet.”)
David wasn’t as good as he would have liked. Ismael Koné’s broken leg robbed him of his childhood dreams and robbed Canada of its greatest creative threat. Marcelo Flores might have shown the same quality had he not torn his cruciate ligament in his last club match before reporting for duty. Several other players – Estaquio, Ali Ahmed, Alfie Jones – played with injuries or were unable to play at all.
But after the immediate pain has subsided, Canada’s performance against Morocco and this tournament should be remembered with pride, not shame. This should be remembered with joy, not with regret.
Canada’s banner was bathed in sunshine for the first time over three weeks ago in Toronto, where it sheltered our men in their dazzling debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was sent to Vancouver for two more games, including Canada’s historic rout of Qatar. Los Angeles was next, silently witnessing new developments: Canada’s first elimination game and victory over South Africa.
Our guys outlasted exactly 32 other teams before they found the best one. This is an eternal fact.
They did it too: everywhere they went, they wrapped themselves in our flag and at the World Cup, they proved for the ages that Canada’s red hue stands next to all others.
They also made it an eternal fact.