DOHA: Morocco coach Walid Regragui made two changes to his starting line-up as his team bid to clinch their place in the World Cup last 16 against already-eliminated Canada on Thursday.
Regragui brings back goalkeeper Yassine Bounou following his absence from Sunday’s win over Belgium in Group F.
He has also made an attacking change in midfield, with Abdelhamid Sabiri coming in for Selim Amallah.
Canada coach John Herdman has made four changes for his team’s final game of the tournament following defeats to Belgium and Croatia.
Mark-Anthony Kaye comes into midfield for his first start of the tournament while Sam Adekugbe, Junior Hoilett and Jonathan Osorio have also been named in the starting line-up.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has been pushed into a more advanced role as Canada aim to thwart Morocco’s qualification bid at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Morocco, who are second in Group F with four points, need only a draw to be assured of a place in the knockout rounds.
Teams:
Canada (3-4-3)
Milan Borjan; Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria; Sam Adekugbe, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Jonathan Osorio, Junior Hoilett; Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan
Coach: John Herdman (ENG)
Morocco (4-3-3)
Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss (capt), Noussair Mazraoui; Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Abdelhamid Sabiri; Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech
Coach: Walid Regragui (MAR)
Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)
Bounou back as Morocco eye World Cup last 16
https://arab.news/8pnuk
Bounou back as Morocco eye World Cup last 16
- Regragui brings back goalkeeper Yassine Bounou following his absence from Sunday’s win over Belgium in Group F
Preparations intensify for the Hail Toyota International Baja
- Lineup underscores the rally’s growing stature on the regional and global motorsport calendar
- Route passes through the Great Nafud Desert, one of the region’s most distinctive natural landscapes
HAIL: With just seven days remaining until the start, attention across the motorsport and rally community is turning to Hail, as preparations intensify for the Hail Toyota International Baja, scheduled to take place from Jan 28–31.
The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the Hail Region Emirate and the Hail Region Development Authority. Jameel Motorsport is the official partner, alongside the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
This year’s edition brings together a strong slate of international and regional championships, including the FIA World Baja Cup, the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, the FIM World Baja Cup and the FIM Asia Baja Cup, in addition to the opening round of the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship. The lineup underscores the rally’s growing stature on the regional and global motorsport calendar.
Competitors will face demanding conditions, with the rally staged amid Hail’s cold winter climate and across varied terrain. The route passes through the Great Nafud Desert, one of the region’s most distinctive natural landscapes, known for its towering dunes, expansive golden sands and technically challenging tracks that demand high levels of driving skill and navigational precision.
The rally program features broad participation across multiple categories and consists of three competitive stages. Action begins with a prologue covering 35 kilometers, including a 6-kilometer timed special stage. This is followed by the first stage spanning 417 kilometers, with 245 kilometers against the clock, before the second and final stage over 323 kilometers, including a 151-kilometer timed section.
Alongside the sporting action, the 2026 Hail Toyota International Baja will offer a comprehensive program of accompanying activities, providing an integrated experience for visitors and residents alike. The program combines sport, entertainment and community engagement, contributing to increased tourism and economic activity in the Hail region.
