The 2026 FIFA World Cup witnessed a historic moment as Morocco triumphed over Canada with a 3-0 victory in the Round of 16, held in Houston, Texas. While Canadians were heartbroken by the men’s national team’s deepest run ever ending, the Moroccan community in Canada erupted in celebration.
In cities like MontrealVancouver and Toronto Moroccan-Canadians gathered in restaurants and streets, waving flags and wearing red Morocco jerseys. The celebrations were particularly vibrant in Montreal’s Petit Maghreb neighborhood along Jean-Talon Street where dozens of supporters gathered to watch the match.
Yassine Bounou: The Montreal-born goalkeeper who anchored Morocco’s victory
One of the standout performers in Morocco’s victory was goalkeeper Yassine Bounou who was born in Montreal before moving to Morocco as a child. Bounou has become one of the tournament’s most reliable goalkeepers, playing a crucial role in Morocco’s shutout victory.
Bounou’s journey is a unique one, having been approached by Canada’s national team coach Benito Floro to play for Canada. However, Bounou chose to represent Morocco, where he has made 94 appearances. His performance in the 2026 World Cup was remarkable, with Morocco achieving the best performance yet by an African nation.
Community celebrations and reactions across Canada
In Vancouver around 60 supporters packed a Moroccan restaurant in Yaletown to watch the match. Otto Outn who traveled from Morocco and now lives in Vancouver, praised Canada’s performance despite the result. “Canada was playing like a very strong, confident team. They put Morocco back on their heels a little bit,” he said. “But then in the second half we were able to score two goals, finish with a third. Congratulations.”
Christa Aucy honorary consul for the Kingdom of Morocco in British Columbia, reflected on the strength of the local Moroccan community. “We’re feeling great. It’s been a fantastic day,” she said. “It was really an honour, and what a game it was.”
Restaurant owner Mohamed El Haddi noted that the World Cup has brought the local Moroccan community together. “We’ve done this before, but more people are getting excited as we progress,” he said.
Morocco’s journey continues
Morocco will face France in the quarterfinals on Thursday while Canada’s tournament ends after its deepest-ever run on soccer’s biggest stage. The match against France promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams showcasing their strengths and strategies.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a stage for remarkable stories and performances, with Morocco’s victory over Canada being one of the highlights. The celebrations across Canadian cities and the emotional journey of players like Yassine Bounou highlight the global impact of the tournament.
