Morocco vs United States: Preview, predictions, team news

For the first time in 24 years, the United States advanced to the knockout stage in Olympic men’s soccer, where they will face the Group B winners, Morocco.

The United States might have gotten their 2024 Paris Olympic Games campaign off to a slow start after a 0-3 defeat to France, but the Stars and Stripes bounced back and won their final two matches, earning a second-place finish in Group A. Just by making the quarter-finals, the USA have already equaled their second-best finish at the Olympics.

In contrast, Morocco’s tournament got off to a flying start as the Atlas Lions triumphed over Argentina, one of the favorites to win gold. They then stumbled against Ukraine, but ended the group stage with a decisive 3-0 victory over Iraq, securing their place atop Group B. Now, for just the second time in history, Morocco will compete in the Olympic quarter-finals.

Here’s 90min’s guide to Morocco vs United States at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

What time does Morocco vs United States kick off?

Morocco U23 vs United States U23 H2H record

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Morocco vs United States on TV and live stream

Morocco team news

Morocco are one of the big surprises of the tournament so far, and Tarik Sektioui will have his entire squad available for the quarter-finals against the USA. Soufiane Rahimi already has four goals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the forward will be once again the biggest threat in the final third for the Atlas Lions. Achraf Hakimi, meanwhile, will look to keep leading Morocco’s backline and contributing on the attack.

Morocco predicted lineup vs United States

Morocco predicted lineup vs United States ( 4-2-3-1 ): Munir; Hakimi, Boukamir, El Azzouzi, El Ouahdi; Targhalline, Richardson; Akhomach, El Khannouss, Ezzalzouli; Rahimi

United States team news

The only injury concern for the United States ahead of the quarter-finals is Gianluca Busio. The midfielder was forced to come off in the first half against New Zealand after reaggravating a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old did not play the USA’s final group stage fixture against Guinea, but expect him to be back in the starting XI on Friday if he is fully fit.

United States predicted lineup vs Morocco ( 4-1-2-3 ): Schulte; Harriel, Robinson, Zimmerman, Tolkin; Tessmann; Busio, Mihailovic; Paredes, McGuire, Aaronson

Morocco vs United States score prediction

The United States have looked great in their last two matches against New Zealand and Guinea, but Morocco poses a much larger challenge. In fact, the Stars and Stripes’ best efforts will likely not be enough to get past the Atlas Lions, who produced the tournament’s largest upset so far with their victory over Argentina.

Morocco’s defense have only kept one clean sheet at the 2024 Olympics, though, so expect the USA to find the back of the net.