Atlas Lions of Morocco will take on last World Cup runners-up, Croatia as Africa seek for their first win at the ongoing World Cup. This is the first meeting of both sides at the World Cup, but they met in December 1996 in the Hassan II Trophy, played in Casablanca. The game ended 2-2 but produced three red cards. The Europeans eventually won 7-6 on penalties.
However, Croatia have shown that they can hold their own against African oppositions at the World Cup. In Brazil in 2014 Croatia defeated Cameroon 4-0 and defeated Nigeria at the last World Cup 2-0.
Morocco have never gone beyond the group stage since 1986 when they were eliminated by Germany in the round of 16.
In Group F’s second match, Belgium will miss the services of record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku against Canada. On the flip side Canada have been boosted by the return to fitness of Alphonso Davies after suffering a hamstring strain.
Both sides are meeting at the World Cup for the first time. Their only previous meeting was a friendly match which Belgium won by 2-0 in Ottawa in June 1989.
