Brazil and Morocco will get their 2026 World Cup campaigns underway when they face off on Saturday at 11pm (UK time).
Brazil have been ever-present at the World Cup, appearing in all 22 appearances to date. But it has now been 24 years since they last reached the World Cup final. They have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in four of the past five tournaments, with the exception being their 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals in 2014.
Morocco, meanwhile, return to the World Cup looking to build on their historic run to the semi-finals in 2022. It was the first time an African nation had ever reached that stage, and a big improvement from their group-stage exit in 2018.
This will be the third meeting between these two sides, but only the second this century. Morocco beat Brazil 2-1 in a friendly in 2023 thanks to goals from Sofiane Boufal and Abdelhamid Sabiri. Brazil won the previous two meetings, including at the 1998 World Cup.
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Brazil vs Morocco team news
Carlo Ancelotti has a few decisions to make ahead of this game. He has tested a few attacking combinations across the pre-tournament friendlies, as well as differing formations. The main story, though, is that Neymar is unlikely to be available due to injury. He is reportedly making good progess, though.
As a result, Raphinha is likely to start in the No.10 role, with Vinicius Jr on the left. There is the question of who starts on the right, with Luiz Henrique getting the nod in the friendly win over Panama. But Endrick and Rayan will be hoping they can win the battle, after their strong domestic seasons. Endrick can also play up front, but Matheus Cunha looks to be the favourite, even ahead of Igor Thiago.
There’s a Premier League feel to Brazil’s first-choice central midfield pairing, regardless of the formation. Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes are the guaranteed starters, with Fabinho and Danilo Santos waiting in the wings. Marquinhos will start as one of Brazil’s centre-backs, but there will be questions over his partner. Bremer and Danilo are options, but Gabriel should go straight into the team after his late arrival following the Champions League final.
Alisson has his spot as the first-choice goalkeeper locked down, and there are no reasons why he wouldn’t start against Morocco. Wesley and Alex Sandro are the favoured full-backs.
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Morocco managed Mohamed Ouahbi used Morocco’s two tournament friendlies to check some of his options. But the core of his team his pretty clear. Achraf Hakimi is the starting right-back, having featured against Norway following his delayed arrival. That pushed Noussair Mazraoui over to the left, a spot he’ll likely keep for this game. Issa Diop and Chadi Riad are the likely centre-back duo, with Yassine Bounou in goal.
There are a few midfield options, but Ayyoub Bouaddi looks set to start as one of the double pivot. Azzedine Ounahi played further forward against Norway but is likely to drop alongside Bouaddi, forming a safe midfield duo. Bilal El Khannouss will replace Ounahi in the No.10 spot.
Ismael Saibari looks to have won the battle to lead the line for Morocco at the World Cup. He started both pre-tournament friendlies and scored twice in the 4-0 win over Madagascar. Brahim Diaz is set to start on the right-wing, with Abde Ezzalzouli on the left.
Brazil vs Morocco predicted lineups
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Wesley, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Guimaraes, Casemiro; Luiz Henrique, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr; Cunha.
Morocco (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, Ounahi; Diaz, El Khannouss, Ezzalzouli; Saibari.
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