Brazil
Morocco
Two of the most watchable sides at this tournament collide in Group C at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as five-time world champions Brazil begin their campaign against an Morocco side that reached the semi-finals four years ago and has absolutely no intention of being a supporting act. This is the kind of first-round fixture that feels like it belongs in the knockouts — and with Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout for the Seleção and both squads carrying significant injury concerns, it promises to be anything but straightforward.
Brazil — The Favourites
Ancelotti, appointed in a historic move as Brazil's first ever foreign coach, looks set to deploy a 4-2-3-1. Alisson Becker starts in goal behind a back four of Sandro, Magalhães, Marquinhos and Danilo, with the double pivot of Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães providing the platform from which Brazil operate. That midfield pairing is arguably the best in this tournament — Casemiro screens, Guimarães drives, and together they give Brazil control most sides can only dream of.
Further forward, Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá operate in the advanced roles, while Vinicius Júnior — Brazil's most dangerous weapon and one of the finest players on the planet — starts on the left. The significant news concerns the striker position: Neymar is listed as doubtful with a calf injury and is not expected to start, with Matheus Cunha preferred as the lone forward. Cunha is a livewire presence — mobile, technically sharp and capable of linking play between the lines — but he is a very different animal to the mercurial Neymar, and the weight of carrying Brazil's attack will fall heavily on him alongside Raphinha and Paquetá, with Vinicius expected to be the primary creator and finisher.
Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002 — a 24-year drought that remarkably mirrors the exact gap between their 1970 and 1994 triumphs, which was also ended on American soil. The symbolism is not lost on anyone. They are also the only nation to have appeared in every single World Cup since 1930, and they have won seven of their eight matches against African nations at the tournament.
Morocco — The Dark Horses
Under Mohamed Ouahbi — who stepped in after Walid Regragui's surprise resignation less than 100 days before the tournament — Morocco have gone three wins and two draws from five matches and arrive in fine fettle. They breezed through CAF qualifying with eight wins from eight and were controversially crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions earlier this year after Senegal were stripped of the title following a chaotic final. The motivation to prove themselves on the biggest stage again is enormous.
Ouahbi will likely line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Bono in goal. Hakimi and the fitness-doubtful Mazraoui — who trained fully on Thursday but remains questionable with a shoulder problem — provide the width at full-back, while Issa Diop and Chadi Riad partner in central defence in the absence of first-choice centre-back Nayef Aguerd, who is ruled out with a groin injury. That is a notable loss — Aguerd is Morocco's most assured defender and the spine of their back line. Whether Diop and Riad can handle Vinicius Júnior in full flight for 90 minutes is the central question of this match.
Going forward, Morocco possess genuine quality. Brahim Díaz — 14 international goals in 26 appearances and the most technically gifted player in this squad — drifts inside from the right and thrives in tight spaces. Azzedine Ounahi pulls the strings in the number ten role with Saibari providing the threat from the left, while Kaabi leads the line as the lone striker. Morocco also lose set-piece specialist Ez Abde to a knee ligament injury for the entire group stage — a blow to a side who built much of their threat from dead-ball situations in 2022.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Vinicius Júnior vs Achraf Hakimi. Hakimi is one of the best attacking full-backs in world football — but he will spend most of this game in a defensive headache. Vinicius is at his most devastating running at pace toward goal, and Morocco's right flank is the avenue Brazil will target repeatedly. If Hakimi pushes forward, he leaves the space Vinicius will exploit in behind. If he stays deep, Morocco lose one of their most potent outlets on the counter. It is a genuine dilemma with no comfortable answer.
Prediction
Morocco will make this uncomfortable. Their defensive structure is real, their attacking players are capable of punishing any lapse, and the loss of Aguerd — while significant — does not strip them of their organisation. But Brazil have too much quality in midfield and on the wings. Vinicius will find a moment, Guimarães will impose himself on the game, and the Seleção should have enough to see it through, even without Neymar.
Expect a tight first half before Brazil's quality tells in the second.
Brazil 2–0 Morocco — Vinicius Júnior, Raphinha
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