Netherlands and Morocco meet in the biggest matchup in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday at 2am (UK time).
Netherlands were crowned winners of Group F, winning seven points from a possible nine. Their opening game ended in a 2-2 draw with Japan before they demolished Sweden 5-1. They went into their final group game knowing a win would be enough to see them finish top and they duly delivered. A 3-1 victory over Tunisia provided exactly what they needed. The Netherlands attack has been relentless but they’ve shown plenty of weaknesses at the back.
Morocco came through Group C with the same points total but only finished second, with Brazil possessing a better goal difference. There were further similarities to the Netherlands group campaign, too. Morocco also drew their first game, 1-1 against Brazil, before beating both Scotland and Haiti with a good level of confidence. They’ve scored six goals but the three they’ve conceded will be a cause for concern.
This will be the fourth meeting between these two nations, with Netherlands coming out on top twice and Morocco picking up one victory.
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Netherlands vs Morocco team news
Netherlands team news
Ronald Koeman isn’t expected to make many changes ahead of the Round of 32 match. Bart Verbruggen continues in goal after an assured group-stage campaign. Jurriën Timber was ruled out of the entire tournament before it began with a groin injury, so Koeman continues to work around that absence in his defensive setup.
Denzel Dumfries and Jan Paul Van Hecke are expected to continue in the defensive structure, with Virgil van Dijk captaining the side from centre-back as always. Van Dijk’s leadership and aerial authority will be central to containing Morocco’s dangerous attacking transitions in Monterrey. Micky van de Ven completes the back line alongside him.
Ryan Gravenberch and Frenkie de Jong anchor the midfield, with Tijjani Reijnders operating in the creative role ahead of them. That trio provides the Netherlands with defensive cover and attacking impetus in equal measure – and their ability to control tempo will be crucial against a Morocco side that presses high and transitions quickly.
Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey are expected to continue in attack. Gakpo has scored in all three group games and carries the form of a player capable of defining a knockout tie. Brobbey’s physicality and directness offers an additional threat from central positions. Donyell Malen and Crysencio Summerville both offer genuine quality with both pushing to start on the right.
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Morocco team news
Mohamed Ouahbi is set to make several changes after rotating heavily for the Haiti game. Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Azzedine Ounahi are all expected to return to the starting XI for the Round of 32 clash. Ouahbi has the luxury of recalling his strongest available players for the biggest game in his tenure as Morocco head coach.
Yassine Bounou – known as Bono – continues in goal. Ouahbi has publicly dismissed any fitness concerns surrounding his first-choice goalkeeper and the Al Hilal stopper is a certainty to start in Monterrey. Achraf Hakimi continues at right-back, with Mazraoui back on the left. Nayef Aguerd was ruled out of the entire tournament before a ball was kicked with an injury sustained in pre-tournament preparation, so Issa Diop partners Chadi Riad at centre-back.
Ismael Saibari leads the attack after a remarkable group stage – three goals in three appearances have made the incoming Bayern Munich signing one of the tournament’s standout performers. His movement, directness and finishing quality will pose a genuine threat to any defence in the world. Brahim Díaz complements the attacking lineup alongside him, providing the creativity and quick feet that caused both Brazil and Scotland problems in the group stage.
Bilal El Khannouss and Ounahi provide further attacking support from midfield, with 18-year-old Bouaddi returning to the engine room alongside Yahya El Aynaoui. Bouaddi’s composure and technical quality across three group games has been one of the tournament’s most exciting storylines. Abde Ezzalzouli was ruled out before the tournament began with a leg injury, so Sofyan Amrabat provides experienced defensive cover from the bench.
Netherlands vs Morocco predicted lineups
Netherlands (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, De Jong, Reijnders; Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo.
Morocco (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Díaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
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