Five-time world champions Brazil open their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C campaign with a mouth-watering clash against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday.
Brazil national football team head into the tournament looking to bounce back from their quarter-final exit at the last World Cup, while Morocco national football team arrive with confidence after establishing themselves as one of international football’s most resilient and tactically disciplined sides.
Brazil Enter New Era Under Ancelotti
Brazil are now led by Carlo Ancelotti, appointed in 2025 as the first foreign coach in the nation’s history.
The Selecao remain the most successful team in World Cup history, with five titles and the unique distinction of featuring in every edition since 1930. However, their last triumph came in 2002, extending a long-standing wait for a sixth crown.
Their qualification campaign was mixed, with inconsistent results across South America, but recent wins over Croatia, Panama and Egypt have helped restore momentum heading into the tournament.
Despite occasional setbacks, Brazil’s historical record against African teams at the World Cup remains strong, and they are widely expected to progress from Group C.
Morocco’s Rise and Ambition
Morocco continue to build on their remarkable rise in world football, having produced one of the standout performances of the 2022 World Cup with a historic semi-final run.
Since the start of 2023, the Atlas Lions have been among the most consistent teams globally, combining defensive organisation with attacking creativity.
They qualified impressively for this tournament, and although there has been a late coaching change, with Mohamed Ouahbi now in charge, the team have maintained their strong identity and competitive edge.
Morocco will also draw belief from their recent 2-1 friendly win over Brazil in 2023, even though historical meetings have largely favoured the South Americans.
Team News
Brazil will be without Neymar due to injury, while Wesley is also sidelined. Key players such as Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães are expected to feature prominently, with a decision still to be made on the central striker role.
Morocco are missing Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli through injury. Captain Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz are expected to lead their attacking threat, while Noussair Mazraoui faces a late fitness test.
Predicted Lineups
Brazil:
Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Guimarães; Raphinha, Paquetá, Vinícius Júnior; Cunha
Morocco:
Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Amrabat, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Díaz, Saibari, El Khannouss
Prediction
Morocco have the quality to cause problems, but Brazil’s depth, experience and attacking firepower give them the edge under Ancelotti.
Prediction: Brazil 3-1 Morocco
