The Netherlands meet Morocco tonight as they have their World Cup ambitions seriously tested in a blockbuster round of 32 clash.
Morocco, who remarkably reached the semi-finals in 2022, are out to prove that stunning run was no fluke this year, with the Africa Cup of Nations champions impressing in their opening draw with Brazil before beating Scotland and Haiti to qualify as Group C runners-up.
Ronald Koeman’s side have meanwhile found their groove after drawing their opener with Japan, scoring a combined eight goals in emphatic wins over Sweden and Tunisia as they topped their group.
The Dutch are the most infamous international heavyweight to have never won a World Cup but could make a statement towards ending that wait against the Atlas Lions.
Follow all of the latest updates from Morocco vs Netherlands in the World Cup round of 32 below:
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Morocco vs Netherlands live updates
- Morocco face the Netherlands in a blockbuster World Cup last-32 clash | Kick-off at 2am BST, live on ITV1
- GOAL! Emotional Gakpo opens the scoring (72')
- SAVE! Van de Ven denied Dutch opener (43')
- CLOSE! Hakimi tests Verbruggen early on (19')
- Netherlands topped their group while Morocco finished runners-up to Brazil
Netherlands 1-0 Morocco
03:50 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Almost another opening for Gakpo but his touch in the box lets him down a bit and his cross is put behind.
Koopmeiners delivers the corner but it’s headed away.
Netherlands 1-0 Morocco
03:49 , Chris Wilson86 mins
Plenty of celebration from the Dutch here as van Dijk makes a perfectly timed challenge on Saibari and wins a free-kick in the process, just outside his own area.
The Netherlands make two more subs, as Gravenberch and van de Ven make way for Quentin Timber and Jorrel Hato.
Morocco bring on Rahimi for Ounahi.
Netherlands 1-0 Morocco
03:46 , Chris Wilson83 mins
A Dutch counter-attack breaks down as Gakpo can’t find Summerville on the opposite wing.
Morocco come forward but the Netherlands are holding firm for now, and there’s no hesitation to leave players back.
Not too long left for the Atlas Lions to find an equaliser!
Summerville is down at the other end in the area but again his protests are waved away.
Netherlands 1-0 Morocco
03:44 , Chris Wilson81 mins
There’s a break in play as Gravenberch needs treatment. We’re back underway with Morocco in possession, though a through ball aimed at El Mourabet makes its way to Verbruggen.
Netherlands 1-0 Morocco
03:41 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Two changes for Morocco here, as Diaz and Bouaddi come off for Yassine and El Mourabet. Salah-Eddine also replaced Riad moments ago.
Netherlands 1-0 Morocco
03:40 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Morocco come forward again and a good cross is clipped in but Dumfries does enough to shepherd his man away from the incoming ball.
Netherlands 1-0 Morocco
03:38 , Chris Wilson76 mins
What a moment that was for Gakpo! Can the Netherlands hold on now?
Morocco come forward but the Dutch are happy to sit back now and they’re forced backwards.
GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Morocco (Gakpo, 73')
03:37 , Chris Wilson73 mins
GOAL! Cody Gakpo has broken the deadlock!
The Netherlands launch a quick counter and it’s flicked on to Summerville, who races into the Morocco half towards the area.
He’s eventually brought down but he has the composure to flick a pass sideways to Gakpo, who makes a clever run and manages to fire past Bounou to open the scoring!
The Dutchman’s teammates embrace him and he’s in tears as he celebrates.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:34 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Back underway in Monterrey. Plenty on the line in these last 20 minutes, though we could be heading for extra-time!
The Dutch make two changes, with Wout Weghorst and Teun Koopmeiners on for Ake and Brobbey.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:29 , Chris WilsonInto the second hydration break of the game and the Netherlands are struggling a bit in Monterrey.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:29 , Chris Wilson65 mins
A few subs are warming up for the Netherlands now. They need changes.
Summerville went down under a challenge from Noussair Mazraoui – who was last man – but the ref waved it away.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:26 , Chris Wilson62 mins
CLOSE! The third corner is a better one and it causes problems, with Dumfries accidentally flicking it towards goal and Verbruggen just about managing to keep it out. He didn’t know a lot about it.
The fourth corner sees Hakimi clip the cross beyond everyone in the box.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:24 , Chris Wilson62 mins
Brilliant play from Saibari as he receives the ball on the turn before clipping it over the onrushing van Hecke. He gets to the byline but sees his cross turned behind for a corner.
Morocco have a succession of corners but the first two are cleared behind.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:20 , Chris Wilson57 min
El Khannouss sees a good cross headed away before he fizzes in a shot that takes a big deflection. Verbruggen is equal to it though.
Morocco are just starting to dominate again here.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:18 , Chris Wilson55 mins
What a tackle this is.
Hakimi thinks he’s clean through as he latches onto the trhough ball into the Netherlands box, but just as he’s about to pull the trigger van de ven comes flying in with a perfectly timed slide tackle to close the door.
The Morocco man gets up and acknowledges the quality of the tackle with a handshake.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:17 , Chris Wilson54 mins
Lovely stuff from Summerville to skip past a few challenges and keep possession, but Gakpo’s attempted cross is mis-hit and rolls out for a goal kick.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:15 , Chris Wilson51 mins
OFF THE BAR! What a chance this was!
Hakimi is sent clean through after a great pass from Ounahi. The angle is tight and he could try and cross it to set up the tap in but he goes himself, rifling a powerful effort past Verbruggen that cannons off the bar!
He might have been offside anyway but he probably should have tried to square it.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:10 , Chris Wilson47 mins
The first yellow card of the day goes to Diop as he drags down his man.
The free-kick is whipped in but a team header makes its way to Bounou.
Morocco work it well at the other end but there’s not a lot of space and Bouaddi curls one over.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:07 , Chris WilsonWe’re back underway in this round of 32 tie.
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
03:04 , Chris WilsonIt’s not been a classic in Monterrey but it’s become more interesting as the game went on, and both sides have threatened at times.
Morocco will be the happier of the two sides but it’s been attritional so far, and you get the sense this one will be decided by one moment of quality or a slip-up from either side. It’s going to be close!
We’ll be back underway shortly.
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:58 , Chris WilsonHALF-TIME! Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:52 , Chris WilsonThat’s more or less the last action of the half as the referee blows the whistle for half-time in Monterrey.
It didn’t start off as a great game but it’s become an intriguing contest in the last 25 minutes or so, and Morocco will feel the more confident as they head to the dressing rooms.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:51 , Chris Wilson45 +5 mins
CLOSE!
There’ll be a late free-kick in a dangerous area on the wing for Morocco as van de Ven commits a foul.
Hakimi delivers the set-piece and he fizzes a great delivery to the back post - it escapes all of the Dutch defenders and Saibari narrowly misses it at the back post! It would have been a tap in!
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:49 , Chris Wilson45 +3 mins
And another chance for Morocco allmost right away as the loose ball bounces to Ounahi, who sees the space open up in front of him before rifling an effort narrowly over the bar!
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:47 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
Almost a promising opening for Saibari but his touch lets him down as he misses out on latching onto the through ball in the area. He’d have been clean through!
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:45 , Chris Wilson45 mins
There’a a delay in taking the corner after plenty of tussling in the Morroco box.
It comes in eventually but Brobbey is penalised for obstructing Bounou.
Into the first of six minutes of added time in Monterrey.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:44 , Chris Wilson43 mins
The Netherlands clip a couple of good balls forward towards Dumfries and Sumerville but Morocco do well top recover and clear before van de Ven sees his effort deflected over from distance.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:40 , Chris Wilson40 mins
Quite a nasty blow there for van Hecke, who was hit in the head by a defender’s knee as he went to ground when tussling in the box for that corner. The sort of challenge that could require concussion protocols.
He seems to be okay to carry on though.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:38 , Chris Wilson38 mins
The Netherlands win a corner and Summerville delivers it to the back post, but Dumfries sees his header deflected over.
Another set-piece, and this one is clipped to a similar area, but the Dutch are forced back into their own half.
We’ve now got a brief break in play as van Hecke needs treatment for a knee to the head.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:36 , Chris Wilson35 mins
There’s a brief break for a VAR check as the ball might have brushed the hand of Bouaddi, but it’s waved away.
It’s almost impossible to tell if it did hit the hand.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:34 , Chris Wilson33 mins
A little bit of a lull in activity now as both sides struggle to regain rhythm since the hydration break.
A few sloppy exchanges of possession but the Netherlands do work an opening, Dumfries sliding it into the path of Summerville before the winger is dispossessed in the box.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:31 , Chris Wilson31 mins
Morocco certainly look the better of the two sides now, with the Netherlands arguably struggling a little.
The Atlas Lions spread it wide and Saibari tries to make inroads into the box but ends up losing control of it before conceding a free-kick.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:29 , Chris Wilson28 mins
Some controversy here as Ounahi goes flying into van Hecke and leads with his elbow.
The Netherlands are furious but he gets away with it, as there wasn’t a lot in it.
Morocco get started again and they work another decent opening, with El Khannouss putting in a good cross that none of his teammates took a gamble on.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:25 , Chris Wilson25 mins
We’re back underway in Monterrey. It’s not been a classic so far but those Morocco chances mean the game might have sprung into life!
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:22 , Chris Wilson21 mins
Into the first hydration break of the game after that little flurry of activity from Morocco.
It’s apparently 28 degrees in Monterrey, so this break might be one of the necessary ones.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:21 , Chris Wilson19 mins
SAVE! The first real chance of the game.
It’s Morocco’s turn to enjoy a bit of possession, and El Khannouss does well to win a corner.
It’s whipped in and El Aynaoui makes a clever run to glance it goalwards at the near post, but Verbruggen makes a great reaction save to keep it level!
Moments later, Morocco come again and it’s laid off to Hakimi, who rifles an effort that forces another good stop from the Dutch ‘keeper.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:16 , Chris Wilson15 mins
Plenty of possession for the Dutch but no real penetration to their play so far.
A long ball forward – which seems key to their plans today – finds Summerville racing down the right, but he can’t square it to Brobbey. No matter though, as one of them is flagged offside.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:12 , Chris Wilson12 mins
Another player is lucky to avoid a yellow card as Diop goes flying in a little late.
No chances of note yet but the Netherlands are starting to impose themselves.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:08 , Chris Wilson9 mins
Good work from Dumfries initially on the right but he’s prevented from getting into the box by a good sliding tackle, before Gravenberch concedes a soft free-kick.
The Dutch are seeing more of the ball but neither side is managing to take control yet in this one.
There’s a small scuffle between Saibari and van Hecke after a high foot from the former, though both escape without a booking.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:06 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Morocco’s first venture into the final third ends with Hakimi clipping a cross over his teammates in the box.
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:04 , Chris Wilson4 mins
The set-piece is headed away and Morocco can regroup. The Atlas Lions have barely seen the ball yet, but they do win a free-kick to set up their first spell of possession.
Under four per cent possession for the African side in that first four minutes or so!
Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:02 , Chris Wilson2 mins
The Netherlands seeing plenty of the ball in the opening stages, and their first foray forward ends in a corner.
KICK-OFF! Netherlands 0-0 Morocco
02:00 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in Monterrey! This one could be a cracker.
Morocco vs Netherlands live
01:57 , Chris WilsonA reminder that the winner of this tie will face co-hosts Canada in the round of 16. That match will take place in Houston on 4 July.
Morocco vs Netherlands live
01:55 , Chris WilsonJust five minutes until kick-off now as both sets of players take to the pitch in Monterrey.
We’ve already had a World Cup classic this evening, so what else do we have in store? We’re about to find out.
The Morocco blueprint helping to rewrite World Cup history for Africa
01:51 , Richard JollyWalid Regragui signed off from the World Cup with a mission statement for the future. A pragmatist tactically but a dreamer when he spoke, the first manager to take an African country to a World Cup semi-final seemed to specialise in inspirational oratory.
As Morocco’s 2022 campaign ended in fourth place, their manager said: “We want to give our children the footballing DNA and one day we will be able to win the World Cup. You build that DNA gradually so that one day a team that can achieve the dream of all Africans. Morocco has shown African teams can go toe to toe.”
At the time, it was tempting to wonder if Morocco’s surge had been a stirring one-off. They had got past Belgium and Croatia, Spain and Portugal; equally, they had only scored two goals in their last four games in Qatar. Wonderfully as they defended, they benefited from others’ attacking failures.
The Morocco blueprint helping to rewrite World Cup history for Africa
Morocco vs Netherlands live
01:46 , Chris WilsonGermany face crisis after shock World Cup exit to Paraguay on penalties
01:42 , Chris WilsonOne of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far took place this evening...
Germany suffered a brutal World Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Paraguay to end the four-time world champions’ tournament in Boston.
After suffering from a controversial VAR call in extra-time, to chalk off Jonathan Tah’s goal, which would have seen Julian Nagelsmann’s side go 2-1 in front, the last 32 tie went to penalties, with misses from Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah enough to succumb to a 4-3 shoot-out loss.
The result leaves Nagelsmann on the brink, with immense pressure on the manager after speculation over his future entering the tournament.
Germany face crisis after shock World Cup exit to Paraguay on penalties
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
01:38 , Chris WilsonThe 2026 World Cup is into the serious stuff after the group stage, as the knockout rounds begin with a first ever last-32.
The top two sides in each group qualified for knockouts along with the eight best third-place teams. Uruguay and Scotland were among the 16 nations eliminated, while tournament contenders including Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, England and Germany all topped their groups.
There are 104 matches in North America this summer, up by 40 since the Qatar World Cup in 2022, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.
And here is every knockout fixture’s date, kick-off time and host city:
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
Players arrive in Monterrey
01:31 , Chris WilsonBoth sets of players have arrived ahead of kick-off later!
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings as Lionel Messi surges clear of Mbappe, Haaland and Kane
01:22 , Chris WilsonThe race for the golden boot at the World Cup is hurtling towards an epic contest during the knockout stage after Lionel Messi added another to his tally to move clear of Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the race.
The stars continue to dominate at this tournament, none more so than Messi after backing up a hat-trick against Algeria with a double against Austria to highlight one of his greatest traits after a penalty miss. Another arrived off the bench against Jordan – inevitably.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have been in excellent scoring touch themselves as two of Europe’s leading marksmen thrive on the biggest stage. Harry Kane is there or thereabouts, too, after heading home against Panama in England’s final group game. Vinicius Jr also stamped his mark with a brace against Scotland while Ousmane Dembele hit a superb hat-trick against Norway to throw his hat in the ring.
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings including Messi, Mbappe, Kane, Haaland
Teams train ahead of last-32 clash
01:11 , Chris WilsonWorld Cup fixtures
01:02 , Chris WilsonHere’s the remaining list of last-32 fixtures as the knockout round gets underway across North America:
(all times BST)
Tuesday, 30 June
- Round of 32 - Match 78: Ivory Coast vs Norway, kick-off 6pm - Arlington, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 77: France vs Sweden, kick-off 10pm - New Jersey, USA
Wednesday, 1 July
- Round of 32 - Match 79: Mexico vs Ecuador, kick-off 2am - Mexico City, Mexico
- Round of 32 - Match 80: England vs DR Congo, kick-off 5pm - Atlanta, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 82: Belgium vs Senegal, kick-off 9pm - Seattle, USA
Thursday, 2 July
- Round of 32 - Match 81: USA vs Bosnia kick-off 1am - Santa Clara, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 84: Spain vs Austria, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, USA
Friday, 3 July
- Round of 32 - Match 83: Portugal vs Croatia, kick-off 12am - Toronto, Canada
- Round of 32 - Match 85: Switzerland vs Algeria, kick-off 4am - Vancouver, Canada
- Round of 32 - Match 88: Australia vs Egypt, kick-off 7pm - Arlington, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 86: Argentina vs Cape Verde, kick-off 11pm - Miami, USA
Saturday, 4 July
- Round of 32 - Match 87: Colombia vs Ghana, kick-off 2.30am - Kansas City, USA
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Argentina and France lead charge heading into knockouts
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:55 , Chris WilsonThe 2026 World Cup is storming towards the knockout stages after this year’s bumper 48-team tournament had its first culling.
After a build-up that centred on controversy, greed and conflict, fans have been captivated by some enthralling performances and disappointed by others, with the likes of France and holders Argentina stamping their marks as rightful favourites, while England, Portugal and Brazil have all made slight missteps.
But the group stage is only the beginning - history will be written on the road to the final, with 32 remaining teams now raring to sink their teeth into the drama of knockouts football.
Here’s how every team in the knockout stages stacks up in The Independent’s World Cup 2026 power rankings, delving deeper into the top 10:
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Argentina and France lead charge heading to knockouts
Team news
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:47 , Chris WilsonJust the two changes for the Netherlands after their win over Tunisia. One is in defence, where Micky van de Ven returns in place of Tijjani Reijnders as Ons Oranje move to a back five.
The other change is in attack, where Donyell Malen drops out in favour of Crysencio Summerville.
Line-ups
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:45 , Chris WilsonNetherlands XI: Verbruggen; van Hecke, van Dijk, van de Ven; Dumfries, de Jong; Gravenberch, Ake; Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo.
Subs: Roefs, Flekken, Reijnders, Hato, Lang, Til, Wieffer, Weghorst, Kluivert, de Roon, Geertruida, Timber, Koopmeiners, Depay,, Malen.
Team news
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:40 , Chris WilsonMorocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi makes four changes to the side that beat Haiti in their final group game.
In defence, Noussair Mazraoui and Issa Diop return in place of Redouane Halhal and Anass Salah-Eddine.
In midfield, Sofyan Amrabat makes way for Ayyoub Bouaddi, while in attack Ayoub El Kaabi comes out in favour of Azzedine Ounahi, with Ismael Saibari moving to striker.
Line-ups
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:36 , Chris WilsonMorocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
Subs: El Kajoui, Tagnaouti, Salah-Eddine, Belammari, Halhal, El Ouahdi, Saadane, El Mourabet, Amrabat, Talbi, Rahimi, El Kaabi, Gessime, Amaimouni, Sbai.
Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) on X
Team news
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:30 , Chris WilsonLine-ups should be released any time now, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides...
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.
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.
Last 32 results
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:24 , Chris WilsonWe’ve had two results from the last 32 so far, with co-hosts Canada sneaking past South Africa late on and Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil coming from behind to beat Japan 2-1 courtesy of a 96th-minute winner from Gabriel Martinelli.
Welcome to the real World Cup – the tournament begins now
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:12 , Chris WilsonAmong a lot of the most celebrated World Cup 2026 squads, coaches have already sought to ensure the intensity of training has gone up. There’s a new edge that only knockout football, and especially World Cup knockout football, can bring.
The Dutch squad perhaps put it best ahead of the most fascinating last-32 tie of all, against Morocco.
“It’s game on,” said Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke. “Now, the big games come.”
Welcome to the real World Cup – the tournament begins now
Two heavyweights clash in Monterrey
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:00 , Chris WilsonThese two sides are ranked sixth and seventh in the world in the latest Fifa rankings, though one of them will go crashing out of the World Cup this evening.
Morocco are ranked sixth as they look to make more World Cup history after making the semi-finals in 2022, while the Netherlands are looking to build on their semi-final exit at Euro 2024 as they look to make the latter rounds this summer.
Morocco's World Cup story
Monday 29 June 2026 23:45 , Chris WilsonMorocco 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.
Netherlands power past Tunisia to seal top spot in World Cup group
Monday 29 June 2026 23:40 , Chris WilsonThe 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.
Netherlands power past Tunisia to seal top spot in World Cup group
Who will the winner face?
Monday 29 June 2026 23:26 , Chris WilsonThe 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.
Predicted line-ups
Monday 29 June 2026 23:21 , Chris WilsonNetherlands 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
Team news
Monday 29 June 2026 23:16 , Chris WilsonMorocco 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.
Team news
Monday 29 June 2026 23:13 , Chris WilsonBrian 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.
Dutch handed boost over Brobbey and Dumfries
Monday 29 June 2026 23:13 , Jack RathbornThe 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.
When is Netherlands v Morocco?
Monday 29 June 2026 23:10 , Chris WilsonThe fixture will take place at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday 30 June at 2am BST (6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET).
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the game will air live on ITV1 and ITV X. In the US, it will air live on Fox Sports.
Morocco vs Netherlands live
Monday 29 June 2026 23:04 , Chris WilsonThe 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.
Good evening
Monday 29 June 2026 22:58 , Chris WilsonHello 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.





