Most groups ease you in. Group C opens with a tie that would not look out of place in the last 16. Five-time champions Brazil meet Morocco, the side that stunned the world in 2022, at MetLife Stadium on June 13 (Sky Sports).
With Scotland and Haiti completing the group, both heavyweights will fancy progression — but neither wants to open with a defeat against the other.
Brazil v Morocco — June 13, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. A five-time champion against the 2022 semi-finalists. Source: Sky Sports
Brazil: talent to burn, fitness to manage
Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil arrive among the favourites, carrying as much attacking talent as any side in the field. Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha lead a forward line that also includes the returning Neymar, named in the 26 despite long-running fitness questions (ESPN).
The sub-plot is whether Ancelotti throws Neymar straight into an opener of this intensity or protects him for the softer middle game against Haiti — we explore the call in our Neymar fitness feature.
Morocco: no soft touch
Morocco are the reason this is a genuine contest and not a coronation. The 2022 semi-finalists carry a fearless, well-drilled generation that has made a habit of upsetting bigger names, and they warmed up by holding Norway to a 1-1 draw on June 7 — Brahim Díaz striking early before Martin Ødegaard levelled (Morocco World News).
That result, against a Norway side built around elite attacking talent, was a useful gauge: Morocco can go toe-to-toe with quality and stay organised.
What's at stake on matchday one
- Group control. The winner takes an early grip on top spot and an easier projected route.
- Momentum. Both sides face theoretically weaker opposition afterwards; a win here all but books a knockout place.
- The third-place math. Even the loser stays alive — the expanded format sends the eight best third-placed teams through.
| Team | Realistic ceiling |
|---|---|
| Brazil | Group winners, title contenders |
| Morocco | Top two, deep run |
| Scotland | Best-third push |
| Haiti | Spoilers |
The verdict
Brazil have the firepower and the favourite's tag, but Morocco have the discipline and the recent pedigree to make this anything but routine. Expect a cagey, high-quality opener that tells us plenty about how far both can go.
Read the case for the Seleção in why Brazil can win, the underdog story in our Morocco dark-horse feature, and make your call on the predictions page.
Sources
- Sky Sports — World Cup 2026 Group C guide
- Morocco World News — Morocco draw 1-1 with Norway before World Cup opener
- ESPN — Neymar makes the cut as Brazil announce final squad
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
