Brazil v Haiti prediction, lineups and tips: World Cup 2026 Group C

Brazil arrive at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia needing their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and carrying the weight of a nation that expected so much more after matchday one. Carlo Ancelotti's side were outplayed for large periods of their opening Group C fixture, eventually settling for a 1-1 draw with Morocco after Vinicius Junior's equaliser salvaged a point that flattered the Selecao. Haiti, meanwhile, lost 1-0 to Scotland but performed creditably, and now face a Brazil side whose vulnerabilities in midfield and at full-back were exposed for the world to see.

Group C is tighter than it should be. Scotland lead on three points, with Brazil and Morocco level on one apiece, and Haiti, ranked 84th in the world, 78 places below Brazil, rooted to the bottom with nothing. For the Selecao, anything other than a win here would prompt a genuine crisis heading into a final group game against Scotland. A defeat would be a national catastrophe.

Ancelotti, speaking at Thursday's press conference, acknowledged his players were dissatisfied with the opener. "The team was not happy because the opener was not good, especially the first half," he said. "Tomorrow we're already going to play a different game, with much more quality." He has confirmed changes are coming, without naming a revised starting XI.

Haiti head coach Sébastien Migné has quietly built something creditable against the odds. He has never set foot in Haiti owing to deep political unrest, but he instilled a clear defensive shape against Scotland that troubled Steve Clarke's side for long spells. Despite losing 1-0, the Grenadiers registered 15 shots, joint-top in Group C on matchday one, and matched Brazil's 22 touches inside the opposition box. They are not here to make up the numbers, even if the odds suggest otherwise.

For Haiti, however, the mathematics are brutal. If they lose to Brazil and Morocco beat Scotland simultaneously, they are eliminated. A run to the knockout stage would require an upset of historic proportions, their only previous World Cup appearance came in 1974, when they lost all three group games.

Brazil's xG against Morocco was 1.26, marginally below Morocco's 1.37, which tells the story of a side that created chances without the clinical edge to convert them. Ancelotti fielded natural centre-back Roger Ibanez at right-back and Douglas Santos at left-back, and both were exposed. Changes at the back look certain, with Danilo expected to come in. Casemiro also struggled and may be replaced by Fabinho. Endrick, who did not play a single minute against Morocco, is widely expected to get his first tournament opportunity at some stage against Haiti.

Haiti's xG against Scotland was 1.05 against the same figure conceded, suggesting they were competitive in terms of chances created. But their only shot on target in that game was two, against Brazil's five on target from their Morocco game, and they failed to score for the first time in the group stage.

Ancelotti paid measured respect to Haiti at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, saying: "Haiti showed physical quality, a team that is well organised, with a very clear system and a very tall target centre forward. They play good football, with their own characteristics. It is an opponent we have to respect, like all opponents." The Italian added: "It's a World Cup, everyone is highly motivated. There are no matches with a clear outcome."

His refusal to name a starting XI ahead of time suggests multiple positions remain open, though the direction of travel from training sessions is clear.

Brazil v Haiti kicks off at 01:30 BST on Saturday 20 June at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia. The match is live on ITV1 and STV in the UK, with free online streaming available via ITVX and the STV Player.