Yassine Bounou set for another reunion with birth country Canada
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, born in Montreal, faces his birth country Canada in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16.
Yassine Bounou va retrouver le Canada en 8es de finale de la Coupe du monde. (A. Mounic/L'Équipe)
The upcoming 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match holds a special significance for Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Born in Montreal in 1991, the shot-stopper is set to face Canada, the country of his birth, on the global stage once again.
This is not the first time Bounou has met the Canadian side at a World Cup. During the 2022 tournament in Qatar, Morocco secured a 2-1 victory over Canada in the group stage. Now, in the knockout phase, he faces the co-hosts in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
Bounou's international career could have taken a very different path. While playing for Atlético de Madrid, he was approached by then-Canada coach Benito Floro (2013–2016). However, the goalkeeper later clarified that his decision to play for Morocco was driven by deep personal roots.
My dream was to represent Morocco because I played in all the youth categories of the national team, it was natural. Yassine Bounou
Bounou moved to Morocco at the age of two and spent his entire childhood there, which cemented his identity and commitment to the Moroccan national team.