Title contenders, Brazil meet dark horses, Morocco in a huge Group C opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Five-time champions, Brazil are considered amongst the title favourites but face a difficult opener against Morocco who finished fourth at the 2022 edition.
Team News
Neymar is unlikely to be available for Brazil as he continues to recover from a calf injury.
Morocco will be without Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli after the pair withdrew from the squad due to groin and knee injuries, with Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane called up as their replacements.
When is Kick-Off?
Brazil face Morocco at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, on Saturday 13 June at 6pm EDT (11pm BST), live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brazil won their only previous World Cup meeting against Morocco by a 3-0 result in the Group Stage in the 1998 edition.
- Morocco have won one of three previous meetings against Brazil in all competitions (W1, L2).
- Brazil have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches (W3, D1, L1), across which they scored 13 goals and conceded seven goals.
- Morocco are currently on a 29-match unbeaten run in all competitions since a 1-0 loss to Kenya at African Nations Championship in August 2025 (W23, D6).
Prediction
Given their overall quality and form of players like Gabriel, Casemiro and Igor Thiago, Brazil do look very strong across the pitch but this is going to be a proper test of their title credentials out of the block, especially defensively given that they’ve not kept a clean sheet in their last five matches.
Morocco meanwhile were the surprise package in 2022 as they knocked out teams like Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their run to the semi-finals, and have since found fresh form to come into this tournament on a 29-match unbeaten run which gives them massive confidence that they can claim a scalp here.
I however do think that Brazil’s experience will see them snatch a draw at minimum but should still advance from this group even if Morocco win this opener.
Prediction: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Result: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
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