Three-time World Cup finalists Netherlands and Africa Cup of Nations champions Morocco clash in a headline Round of 32 fixture at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico on Monday, June 29, 2026, with kick-off at 9:00 PM ET.
This blog covers everything you need to know: how to watch Netherlands vs Morocco live, team news, full squad lists, a detailed tactical preview, and tournament context.
Key Details
- Date: Monday, June 29, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT / 2:00 AM BST (Tuesday, June 30) / 7:00 PM CST (local)
- Venue: Estadio BBVA (Estadio Monterrey), Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Stage: Round of 32
- Where to Watch: FOX / FOX One (USA) | ITV / ITVX (UK) | Telemundo / Peacock (USA, Spanish) | Bell Media (Canada) | SBS (Australia)
Where to Watch Netherlands vs Morocco Football World Cup Match?
Netherlands vs Morocco is broadcast live in the United States on FOX, with Spanish-language coverage available on Telemundo. FOX One streams all 104 World Cup matches live and on demand, while Peacock carries the full tournament in Spanish.
In the UK, the match airs on ITV and streams free on ITVX. Bell Media holds the rights in Canada, SBS covers Australia, and Zee Entertainment broadcasts in India.
How to Watch Netherlands vs Morocco with a VPN
If you are outside the UK and cannot access ITVX, a VPN unlocks the free broadcast by giving your device a British IP address.
ITVX is geoblocked to users in the United Kingdom. Connecting through a UK server on PureVPN bypasses that restriction instantly, letting you stream the match at no cost from anywhere in the world.
Follow these steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to obtain a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for Netherlands vs Morocco and start streaming live.
Using a VPN to access foreign broadcasters may conflict with their terms of service. Always check your local regulations before connecting.
Netherlands vs Morocco FIootball World Cup in 2026 Team News
Netherlands Team News
Ronald Koeman returned for his second spell as Netherlands head coach in 2023, having previously guided the Oranje to the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-finals. He qualified the team for this World Cup with an unbeaten campaign, scoring 27 goals across eight qualification matches.
Captain Virgil van Dijk leads a squad that was dealt two significant blows before the tournament. Creative midfielder Xavi Simons was ruled out with a serious knee injury, and Jurrien Timber suffered a groin injury in the days before departure, with Lutsharel Geertruida drafted in as his replacement.
The Dutch have been in blistering form in North America. After drawing 2-2 with Japan in their group opener, they dismantled Sweden 5-1 in Houston before sealing Group F top spot with a clinical 3-1 win over Tunisia. Striker Brian Brobbey emerged as a surprise star, scoring three goals in two starts. Both Brobbey and Denzel Dumfries carried minor knocks after the Tunisia match but have been declared fit for the knockout clash.
Morocco Team News
Morocco arrive at this World Cup under entirely new management. Walid Regragui, the coach who guided the Atlas Lions to the 2022 semi-finals, resigned on March 5, 2026, just three months before the tournament began. Mohamed Ouahbi stepped up from the youth setup he had led to the Football U-20 World Cup title in 2025, beating Argentina 2-0 in the final, to take his first senior head coaching role.
Ouahbi has retained the core spine of the 2022 Qatar squad while blooding exciting younger talent. Nine players from the historic semi-final campaign are present, including goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, and captain Achraf Hakimi, who holds 95 international caps.
Morocco produced one of the group stage performances of the entire tournament when they held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their opener, with 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi controlling the game so completely that Brazil legend Casemiro was substituted at half-time. The Atlas Lions then beat Scotland 1-0 and hammered Haiti 4-2 to confirm second place in Group C behind Brazil on goal difference, both sides finishing on seven points.
Veteran forwards Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofiane Boufal, both of whom starred in Qatar, did not make Ouahbi’s final 26. The striking responsibility fell to Ayoub El Kaabi, Brahim Diaz and tournament revelation Ismael Saibari, who became the first African player to score in each of his team’s first three group games.
Netherlands World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen, Robin Roefs, Mark Flekken
- Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Denzel Dumfries, Nathan Ake, Jan Paul van Hecke, Jorrel Hato, Lutsharel Geertruida, Mats Wieffer
- Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon, Guus Til, Quinten Timber
- Attackers: Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Justin Kluivert, Brian Brobbey, Noa Lang, Crysencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst
Morocco World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Yassine Kechta, Munir Mohamedi
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Yahya Attiat-Allah, Adam Masina, Badr Benoun, Hamza Igamane, Abde Eddine Amrani
- Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Selim Amallah, Yahia Attiat Allah
- Attackers: Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Soufiane Rahimi, Ilias Chair
Netherlands vs Morocco Match Preview
Netherlands and Morocco meet at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey for a Round of 32 tie that carries enormous historical weight. The teams faced each other just once at a World Cup, in the 1994 group stage in the United States, where the Netherlands won 2-1 in a match that involved Dennis Bergkamp in both goals.
Netherlands reached the knockouts as the most prolific attack remaining in the draw. Ronald Koeman’s side scored 10 goals in three group games, joint highest of any nation in the group stage, with a free-flowing attacking structure that deployed Brian Brobbey as a powerful central reference point surrounded by technical runners. The absence of Xavi Simons forced Tijjani Reijnders into a more advanced role, and the Manchester City midfielder responded with commanding performances that drew widespread praise.
Morocco carry their own momentum and a formidable psychological record. The Atlas Lions have not lost a match inside 90 minutes in 32 consecutive fixtures, a run that stretches back across the Walid Regragui era and into Ouahbi’s first games in charge. Their 1-1 draw with Brazil in East Rutherford was celebrated across the African continent and confirmed that the 2022 semi-final run was no fluke.
Tactical Outlook
Netherlands set up in a 4-3-3 under Koeman, relying on fluid wide play, with Cody Gakpo cutting inside from the left and Donyell Malen providing pace and directness on the right. Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders provide relentless energy from midfield while Frenkie de Jong controls possession and tempo from deeper positions.
Morocco under Ouahbi operate in a flexible 4-3-3 that shifts to a 4-2-3-1 when protecting a lead. Their defensive block is disciplined and compact, with Achraf Hakimi allowed to roam forward from right-back while Noussair Mazraoui mirrors that effort from the left flank. The key matchup runs through the midfield: Frenkie de Jong will look to find spaces between Morocco’s two defensive midfielders, while Ayyoub Bouaddi has shown he can neutralise far bigger names than the Dutch captain.
The Dutch will expect to create and control. Morocco will wait, press at the right moments, and hit on the counter through Ismael Saibari and Brahim Diaz. The first goal may prove decisive in a match where both sides have reason to respect the other.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 29 | Brazil vs Japan | Houston, USA |
| June 29 | Germany vs Paraguay | Foxborough, USA |
| June 29 | Netherlands vs Morocco | Monterrey, Mexico |
| June 30 | Ivory Coast vs Norway | Arlington, USA |
| June 30 | France vs Sweden | East Rutherford, USA |
| July 1 | Mexico vs Ecuador | Mexico City, Mexico |
| July 1 | England vs DR Congo | Atlanta, USA |
| July 1 | Belgium vs Senegal | Seattle, USA |
| July 2 | USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | Santa Clara, USA |
| July 2 | Spain vs Austria | Los Angeles, USA |
| July 3 | Portugal vs Croatia | Miami, USA |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the Football World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded Football World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this Football World Cup lasts 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in the 2026 Football World Cup
There are 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where games take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match was especially historic. The tournament kicked off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico faced South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in Football World Cup history and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s Football World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The knockout stage will conclude with the final, to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The Stars to Watch in the 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final Football World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his Football World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final Football World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Knockout Stage: The Road to the Final
The knockout stage of the 2026 Football World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, played from June 28 to July 19, 2026. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-place teams, have advanced to compete in a single-elimination tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is ready to enter its knockout stage. Here's how the tournament's next phase differs from the group stage. https://t.co/ZUtq2tVWQo
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 28, 2026
Football World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule
| Round | Date | Match / Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 | Canada vs. South Africa |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Brazil vs. Japan |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Germany vs. Paraguay |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Netherlands vs. Morocco |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Ivory Coast vs. Norway |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | France vs. Sweden |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Mexico vs. Ecuador |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | England vs. DR Congo |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | Belgium vs. Senegal |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Round of 32 | Thursday, July 2 | Spain vs. Austria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Portugal vs. Croatia |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Switzerland vs. Algeria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Australia vs. Egypt |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Argentina vs. Cape Verde |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Colombia vs. Ghana |
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Fixtures ⚽
— World of StatHistics (@Stat_Cult) June 28, 2026
🗓️ Sunday, June 28
🇿🇦 South Africa – Canada 🇨🇦 →
🏟️ Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi)
🗓️ Monday, June 29
🔥 🇧🇷 Brazil – Japan 🇯🇵 →
🏟️ Houston Stadium (NRG)
🇩🇪 Germany – Paraguay 🇵🇾 →
🏟️ Boston Stadium (Gillette)
🇳🇱 Netherlands –… pic.twitter.com/Upoc5irwla
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Mexico has 3 stadiums like this and still got just 13 matches to host and USA is hosting 78 matches.
— Rahul Raj (@RahulRajVerse) June 28, 2026
Mexico is definitely Robbed😢😭 pic.twitter.com/HMyhQJ1Xhk
Prize Money and Commercial Scale of the 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this Football World Cup was confirmed at an official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s Football World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended Football World Cup with 3.6 million fans. That record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup Official Broadcasters
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest Football World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last Football World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match kicks off on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico. That is 2:00 AM BST on Tuesday, June 30 for viewers in the United Kingdom, and 7:00 PM local time in Monterrey.
Netherlands finished top of Group F, which also included Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. Morocco finished second in Group C behind Brazil, with Scotland and Haiti completing the group.
Netherlands scored 10 goals across three group games: a 2-2 draw with Japan, a 5-1 win over Sweden and a 3-1 win over Tunisia. They conceded four goals across those matches, raising questions about their defensive solidity under pressure.
Ismael Saibari scored in each of Morocco’s three group games, making him the first African player to achieve that feat in a single World Cup group stage. Brahim Diaz provides creative invention behind him, and Achraf Hakimi’s overlapping runs from right-back are a constant threat.
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, accessing geo-blocked content through a VPN may conflict with the terms of service of the streaming platform you use. Always check the regulations in your country before connecting.
The two nations met at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where the Netherlands won 2-1. Dennis Bergkamp was directly involved in both Dutch goals. The current match is the first meeting between the two sides at a World Cup since that encounter in 1994.
