Skip to content
NewsFixturesStandingsTeamsPredictBracketLeagues
Group · Matchday 1Upcoming

Brazil vs Morocco — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 1

Brazil flagBrazil
05days
21hrs
54min
54sec
Morocco flagMorocco
Venue to be confirmed·

Match preview / What to expect

Updated Jun 6, 2026

Arguably the pick of the Matchday 1 fixtures. Brazil begin the Carlo Ancelotti era against a Morocco side that reached the 2022 semi-finals and arrive on a long unbeaten run. This is a genuine heavyweight collision in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Ancelotti has brought a more measured, structured profile to the Selecao, with Vinicius Jr trialled as a central striker and a defence built around Marquinhos. The headline is Neymar's return after more than two years out — included on the back of a consistent spell at Santos. Brazil look more balanced than recent vintages, but face injury blows with Rodrygo and Estevao unavailable.

Morocco, settled and confident under Mohamed Ouahbi with Achraf Hakimi marauding from full-back, will fancy an upset. Topping Group C may hinge on this opener. Expect tactical caution early before two technically gifted sides open up.

Key storylines

  1. 01The Ancelotti era begins: Brazil's first permanent foreign coach takes charge at a World Cup.
  2. 02Neymar's comeback: included after 2+ years out, his fitness and role are the biggest talking points.
  3. 03Vinicius Jr as a No.9: Ancelotti's plan to play the Real Madrid star centrally.
  4. 04Morocco's momentum: 2022 semi-finalists arriving on a lengthy unbeaten streak.
  5. 05Hakimi the difference-maker: the world-class right-back fresh off a Champions League final.

Prediction

Kickoff editorial call

Two excellent sides — class and home-continent backing may just tell. Projected: Brazil 2-1 Morocco in an open, high-quality contest.

Projected lineups

Projected XI — not confirmed
Brazil flag

Brazil

Formation 4-3-3
  1. 1Alisson (GK)
  2. 2Danilo
  3. 3Marquinhos
  4. 4Bremer
  5. 5Alex Sandro
  6. 6Bruno Guimaraes
  7. 7Casemiro
  8. 8Raphinha
  9. 9Gabriel Martinelli
  10. 10Vinicius Jr
  11. 11Neymar
Morocco flag

Morocco

Formation 4-3-3
  1. 1Yassine Bounou (GK)
  2. 2Achraf Hakimi
  3. 3Nayef Aguerd
  4. 4Romain Saiss
  5. 5Noussair Mazraoui
  6. 6Sofyan Amrabat
  7. 7Azzedine Ounahi
  8. 8Ismael Saibari
  9. 9Brahim Diaz
  10. 10Youssef En-Nesyri
  11. 11Hakim Ziyech

Team news

Brazil flag

Brazil

  • Neymar returns to the squad after a serious knee injury, having played consistently for Santos.
  • Rodrygo and Estevao both miss out through injury — described as big blows.
  • Joao Pedro was cut as Ancelotti prioritised experience in his squad.
Morocco flag

Morocco

  • Mohamed Ouahbi was promoted to head coach after Walid Regragui's surprise March departure.
  • Achraf Hakimi played the full 120 minutes of PSG's Champions League final after returning from injury.
  • Morocco came into June unbeaten in their previous 26 matches.

Sources

Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.

Predict this match

Group · Matchday 15d 21h
Brazil flagBrazil
0
:
0
Morocco flagMorocco
Log in to predict

Exact 3 pts · correct result 1 pt

Want it to count? Open the predictor → to lock in your scoreline before kickoff and climb your league.

Head-to-head

H2H history connects with results data — recent meetings, form and goal trends will appear here once match results are loaded.

Watch along

Rate the players

Score every player live and see the community average build in real time.

→

Drop a hot take

Call it before it happens — genius or clown, the timeline decides.

→
← Back to all fixtures