Brazil vs Morocco: First Heavyweight Clash of World Cup 2026
Group C's opening match sees five-time champions Brazil face African finalists Morocco in what is billed as the tournament's first true heavyweight encounter.
The World Cup 2026's first heavyweight clash takes place at MetLife Stadium, which will also host the final, as Brazil takes on Morocco in Group C. Brazil, the five-time world champions, face Morocco, who reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Brazil's starting lineup: Alisson; Ibañez, Marquinhos (captain), Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Guimarães, Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius. Morocco's starting lineup: Bounou; Hakimi (captain), Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari.
This match is the first major test for both coaches in their World Cup debut. Brazil's Carlo Ancelotti can rely on stars like Barcelona's Raphinha, runner-up in the 2024 Ballon d'Or, and Vinicius Junior, but is without Neymar who will miss the entire group stage. On the Moroccan side, coach Mohamed Ouahbi is without Marseille's central defender Nayef Aguerd and Betis Sevilla's winger Abde Ezzalzouli.
