Ramzi backs Morocco as Hakimi fights rape case ruling

Adil Ramzi: "Morocco have something Netherlands lack"

Adil Ramzi knows both camps. The former Morocco international now coaches the Netherlands U19 side, and he is not hiding which way his heart leans ahead of Monday night's round-of-16 clash.

"Oranje have a lot of weapons, but Morocco have something the Netherlands team lacks," Ramzi said (1). He did not spell out what that something is. You can guess.

The match is set for Monterrey, the last World Cup fixture ever in that stadium (4).

Morocco hit four past Haiti to set up the Dutch clash

Your team reached the knockout rounds with a 4–2 win over Haiti in the group stage (5). The Netherlands beat Tunisia 1–3 in their own decider, and now the paths collide (5).

Morocco opened this tournament with a 1–1 draw against Brazil and a 1–0 win over Scotland. Momentum is real.

Hakimi goes to cassation in 2023 rape case

Achraf Hakimi is fighting an earlier court ruling while the World Cup unfolds around him.

The Morocco defender has taken his 2023 rape case to the Dutch Supreme Court, seeking cassation of a previous decision (2) (3). No further details on timing or any impact on his availability for Monday.

Monday night in Monterrey

The round-of-16 pairing is locked: Morocco against the Netherlands, confirmed across Dutch and Belgian outlets (6). Kickoff is Monday night (4).

Younes Taha, the FC Twente forward, already predicted Morocco would beat the Dutch if the sides met. That confidence is now a team-wide vibe.

Fan reactions

Algerian state TV is reportedly censoring any mention of Morocco's World Cup results, continuing a pattern from 2022 when a news editor was fired for saying the country's name on air. The pettiness is drawing attention again.