Morocco vs Netherlands LIVE: Team news, kick-off time and prediction for World Cup last 32 tie – UK Times

Morocco started their campaign with a respectable draw against Brazil in New Jersey, with Ismael Saibari netting in a tightly contested game.

Their second match saw another goal from Saibari, who scored within 70 seconds in what was the only goal in a 1-0 win.

And their final group match was a decidedly more entertaining affair, with the Atlas Lions beating Haiti 4-2 to secure their last-32 match-up with the Netherlands.

The report from last time out as the Netherlands powered into the last 32…

The Netherlands secured top spot in World Cup Group F after a commanding 3-1 victory over Tunisia in Kansas City. The Dutch side demonstrated their intent from the outset, establishing a two-goal lead within the opening seven minutes of the match.

Ronald Koeman’s team broke the deadlock in just the third minute when Tunisia’s Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently turned a cross into his own net. Moments later, Brian Brobbey doubled the advantage, tapping home a headed knockdown from Virgil van Dijk following a free-kick.

While the Netherlands appeared comfortable, Tunisia briefly threatened a comeback early in the second half. A corner found Hazem Mastouri, who headed the ball into the bottom-left corner, halving the deficit. However, the Dutch response was swift, with Jan Paul van Hecke restoring their two-goal cushion from a corner of his own.

The winners of this tie will take on either Canada or South Africa in the last-16 with the teams due to meet on Saturday 4 July at Houston Stadium.

Netherlands XI: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, F de Jong, Reijnders; Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo

Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari

Morocco have no injury concerns but should make plenty of changes from the team that started against Haiti with first choice players such as Noussair Mazraoui and Issa Diop returing to the line-up.

Brian Brobbey and Denzel Dumfries have slight knocks and, despite both being passed fit, are doubts to start for the Netherlands. Micky van de Ven should return at the expense of Nathan Ake.

The Netherlands are set to start Denzel Dumfries and Brian Brobbey against Morocco in their World Cup last 32 tie.

The pair were carrying slight knocks, but Ronald Koeman is set to call on the duo to start at the Estadio Monterrey.

The fixture will take place at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday 30 June at 2am BST (6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET).

In the UK, the game will air live on ITV1 and ITV X. In the US, it will air live on Fox Sports.

The World Cup 2026 knockout rounds continue with fixtures from the last 32. Canada became the first team to reach the last-16 when they defeated South Africa on Sunday night but who will join them there?

The Netherlands are ramping up their momentum in this tournament after a slow start against Japan. Though the Dutch twice managed to get themselves ahead they were reeled in by the Japanese in a 2-2. Yet, their next two games were superb wins over Sweden and Tunisia. They scored eight goals across the two fixtures and have found their feet in the competition ahead of a testing last-32 opponent.

Morocco, meanwhile, finished second in Group C having been beaten to top spot by Brazil’s goal difference. The African champions defeated Haiti and Scotland in the group stages and earned a fine 1-1 draw against the Selecao. They reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and will be hoping for a lengthy run this time around too.

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s World Cup round of 32 match between the Netherlands and Morocco.

The Dutch take on the African ‘champions’ in one of the most hotly anticipated matches of the tournament so far, with the Dutch slight favourites ahead of kick-off.

We’ll have all the latest team news and updates right here for you.