Netherlands or Morocco: Which Team Will Advance to the Next Round?

The Netherlands and Morocco meet in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup in one of the round’s most intriguing ties. Opta’s projections put the Dutch ahead, with Morocco given a lower chance of progressing and extra time seen as a real possibility.

It is only the second World Cup meeting between the sides. The first came in 1994, when the Netherlands won 2-1. The Dutch have never lost to an African team at the finals, though this is their first knockout match against opposition from that continent.

Morocco earned their place with a draw against Brazil and wins over Scotland and Haiti, reaching the knockout stage for a second straight tournament. That had previously been achieved by only two other African sides. After their run to the semi-finals in 2022, they are again looking to beat European opposition in the knockout rounds.

The Netherlands topped their group after a draw with Japan and convincing wins over Sweden and Tunisia. They scored 10 goals in the group stage, while Morocco netted six, their best return at a World Cup and the highest by any African side in the competition’s history.

Ismaïl Saibari has scored three for Morocco, while Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo have led the Dutch attack.