Morocco faces Brazil in their World Cup 2026 opening match, with Group C’s heavyweight clash pitting Achraf Hakimi’s African underdogs against Vinicius and Brazil’s five-time champions. Follow our blog as the tournament’s first truly heavyweight encounter unfolds.
Official lineups of Brazil – Morocco
Brazil : Alisson – Ibañez, Marquinhos (c), Gabriel, Douglas Santos – Guimarães, Casemiro, Paqueta – Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius.
Morocco : Bounou – Hakimi (c), Diop, Riad, Mazraoui – Bouaddi, El Aynaoui – Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Saibari.
Brazil back in the game
Vinicius’s strike lifts the pressure. Brazil’s players visibly relax, while their supporters roar back to life at MetLife stadium. The momentum has shifted in Seleção’s favour.
Viniiiiiiii
Vinicius Jr cuts inside and unleashes a superb strike from the box that flies into the top right corner. Bono has no chance! Brazil is back!
Heat takes its toll
It’s nearly 30 degrees at MetLife stadium, and Brazil’s players appear less comfortable in the humidity than their Moroccan counterparts. The heat is beginning to show as the Seleção struggles to maintain their intensity.
Morocco apply the pressure
Hakimi creates another chance as Morocco look to suffocate Brazil early. Issues with Seleçao’s pressing game are already evident as it struggles to regain the ball.
Time for a cooling break
Perfect timing for Carlo Ancelotti to regroup his side and plot Brazil’s response.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL
What a finish!!! Ismael Saibari receives the ball on the edge of the box and executes a perfect lob over the Brazilian goalkeeper!
Brazil’s first chance
Lucas Paqueta, the former Olympique Lyonnais midfielder, launches a long ball toward goal, but Morocco goalkeeper Bono handles it comfortably.
Saibari’s false 9 creates space
Mazraoui threads a delicate through ball to Ismael Saibari in the box, but Brazil’s defence steps in to block. Morocco’s false 9 positioning is already proving effective, dragging Brazil’s centre-backs out of position.
Brahim Diaz forces first shot
Brahimi receives a quality pass and lets fly from distance, but a Brazilian defender blocks his effort before it reaches goal.
Strong start for Morocco
Achraf Hakimi demonstrates his authority as Morocco’s captain, creating two promising opportunities early on. The Lions of the Atlas are making a statement
Early chance for Morocco
An early free kick in a promising position for the Lions of the Atlas.
They look sharp from the start!
Let’s go!
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic blows his whistle: Brazil-Morocco is underway!
PSG star Hakimi warming up
Hymne Chérifien
Morocco’s national anthem rings out across the New Jersey stadium, with a sea of red and green supporters singing in unison. The atmosphere intensifies as kickoff approaches.
Hino Nacional Brasileiro, plays at MetLife
Brazil’s national anthem, the Hino Nacional Brasileiro, plays at MetLife stadium as fans prepare for kickoff.
Endrick on the bench
Carlo Ancelotti has made his choice: Igor Thiago. The Brentford player (24 years old, 4 caps, 2 goals) has been preferred over Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) and former Lyon winger Endrick as the main striker, where he will be supported by Vinicius, Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta.
Remember that Neymar is ruled out for at least the entire group stage!
Mohamed Ouahbi adapts to injuries
With Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli sidelined, Morocco’s coach has had to adjust.
Making his return to official competition with Morocco after his missed panenka in the Africa Cup of Nations final, Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) starts on the right wing, ahead of captain Achraf Hakimi.
In midfield, young Lille player Ayyoub Bouaddi (18 years old) and his teammate Neil el-Aynaoui will experience their World Cup debut.
The World Cup 2026‘s first heavyweight clash will take place at MetLife stadium, the future venue of the final. It will pit Morocco, Africa’s finalists, against Brazil, five-time world champions.
This is the first major test for each coach in their World Cup debut. Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti can rely on stars like FC Barcelona‘s Raphinha, runner-up in the 2024 Ballon d’Or, and Vinicius Junior, but not yet on Neymar who will miss the entire group stage.
On the Moroccan side, Mohamed Ouahbi must manage without OM’s central defender Nayef Aguerd and Betis Seville’s winger Abde Ezzalzouli.
