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

Five-time champions Brazil begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against a Morocco side stripped of two key players by injury, but determined to cause another upset at the MetLife Stadium.

Jon Fisher

Published

Mon 15 Jun, 10:53

Updated

Mon 22 Jun, 11:44

Carlo Ancelotti begins his first World Cup as Brazil head coach against one of the most awkward opponents his side could have drawn in the group stage. Morocco arrive at MetLife Stadium having already lost two players to injury on the eve of the tournament, but they beat Brazil 2-1 in an October 2023 friendly and Walid Regragui's 2022 semi-final generation proved this is a nation capable of rattling anyone. The question is whether Mohamed Ouahbi, the new coach who replaced Regragui after his resignation, can replicate that organised, counter-attacking menace with a reshaped defensive unit.

Brazil

1–1

Full time

Morocco

Sat 13 Jun, 23:00•MetLife Stadium

Brazil are in Group C alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti, and this fixture will effectively decide who finishes top of the group. The Selecao have won five World Cups, more than any other nation, but their last title came in 2002. A 24-year drought has pressed hard on a football-obsessed country, and Ancelotti, appointed in May 2025 as Brazil's first foreign head coach, arrives on the biggest stage having signed a contract extension through the 2030 tournament.

His preparations have not been straightforward. Right-back Wesley was ruled out after suffering a thigh injury against Egypt in a pre-tournament friendly on 6 June, replaced in the squad by midfielder Ederson. Estevao and Rodrygo were lost earlier to injury. Neymar, 34, is carrying a grade-two calf strain sustained on 17 May and is expected to miss the opener, though Brazil hope to have him available later in the group stage. With those absences mounting, Raphinha and Vinicius Jr carry Brazil's main attacking threat.

Morocco's campaign has been built on the back of their 2022 semi-final run and a controversial Africa Cup of Nations title, awarded after Senegal were stripped of the crown. They were the only African side to win all eight of their 2026 qualifying matches. Ouahbi insisted at Friday's pre-match press conference that his team's philosophy will not change despite the casualties: "We are disappointed to be without Aguerd and Ezzalzouli, but we have found solutions, and that is the most important thing. We are confident and will continue doing the same work we always do."

Captain Achraf Hakimi, who overcame a thigh injury picked up in PSG's Champions League semi-final to feature in the final, is expected to start. Noussair Mazraoui injured his shoulder in Morocco's friendly against Norway but has returned to training and should be available.

Last 6 · most recent left

Brazil

No recent formW0 D0 L0

Morocco

No recent formW0 D0 L0

Last 2 meetings · most recent first

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Goals · H / A

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Ancelotti was candid at Friday's press conference about the scale of the challenge. "Don't forget, tomorrow we are facing the champions of Africa, Morocco. They're a great team," he said. "Morocco is a great team and they have complete players who perform in Europe. In order to beat them, we have to defend better and attack better, otherwise we will be in trouble."

The Italian also touched on the broader pressure of leading the Selecao. "It is a new experience, but obviously something special. It means having the responsibility and the honour of representing the country of football, the most decorated national team in the world."

Team news for Brazil v Morocco

Brazil: Neymar is not expected to feature after a grade-two calf injury sustained in May. Estevao and Rodrygo have been ruled out of the entire tournament. Right-back Wesley is also out after a thigh injury in the Egypt friendly on 6 June; Ederson has been called up as his replacement. Caio Henrique is doubtful with a hamstring complaint. Raphinha, Vinicius Jr and Casemiro are all fit.

Morocco: Nayef Aguerd (pubic bone fracture/groin) and Abde Ezzalzouli (knee ligament sprain) have been officially replaced in the squad. Noussair Mazraoui injured his shoulder against Norway in a pre-tournament friendly but has returned to training and is expected to be available. Long-serving captain Romain Saiss has retired from international football, and Adam Masina remains absent after a AFCON injury. Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad and Fulham's Issa Diop are options to partner in central defence.

International managers rotate more freely than club coaches, but Ancelotti has shown a clear preference for his best-available XI in big fixtures. With Neymar absent, Igor Thiago or Matheus Cunha is the most likely central option. Vinicius Jr starts on the left, Raphinha on the right. Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes should anchor the midfield, with Endrick providing an option from the bench. For Morocco, Bono starts in goal behind a back four likely to feature Hakimi at right-back, Mazraoui (fitness permitting) at left-back, and Chadi Riad partnering Issa Diop at centre-back. Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss supply creativity from midfield, with Soufiane Rahimi leading the line.

Brazil: Bento; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Guilherme Arana; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes; Raphinha, Rodriguinho, Vinicius Jr; Igor Thiago

Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, Chadi Riad, Issa Diop, Mazraoui; Amrabat, El Khannouss; Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, Saibari; Rahimi

Brazil v Morocco kicks off at 23:00 BST on Saturday, 13 June. The match is live on BBC One in the UK, with coverage starting at 22:30. You can also stream it via BBC iPlayer. In the United States, Fox Sports has the rights.

Brazil have won seven of their eight World Cup matches against African nations; the only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in Qatar 2022.
The last competitive meeting between these sides ended 3-0 to Brazil at the 1998 World Cup in France, the only previous World Cup encounter.
Morocco won their most recent meeting 2-1, in an October 2023 friendly.
Morocco were the only African side to win all eight of their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches; Brazil finished fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying.
Brazil have topped their first-round group at every World Cup since 1982.

Headline prediction · our pick

✗ MissConfidence · medium

match result: brazil to win

Morocco will be organised and will make Brazil work for it, they proved against Spain and Portugal in 2022 that no team is too big for them. But Aguerd and Ezzalzouli are absent, Ouahbi is in his first tournament as head coach, and Neymar's absence is offset, not countered, by Brazil's remaining forward line. Vinicius Jr and Raphinha have too much quality for a makeshift Morocco backline to contain for 90 minutes, and Brazil's midfield depth through Casemiro and Guimaraes gives Ancelotti control in the centre. Brazil should edge a competitive opener.

Best Price13/18bet365 · score 2-1

✗ Prediction missed

TIP 01✗ Miss

Correct Score: 2-1

Morocco conceded in three of their four matches en route to the 2022 semi-finals and will be without their best defensive organiser in Aguerd. Brazil have the firepower to score twice against a reshuffled backline, but Morocco, with Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Rahimi, carry a real threat on the counter. A 2-1 scoreline fits the profile of a competitive group opener where the superior side wins but does not cruise.

TIP 02✗ Miss

Over 2.5 Goals: Over

Morocco's 2022 run was built on clean sheets, but that was with Aguerd marshalling the defence alongside Saiss, neither of whom is available here. Chadi Riad had limited Premier League minutes in 2025-26 after a long injury absence, and Issa Diop is not a natural international-level starter. Brazil's front three of Vinicius, Raphinha and a centre-forward should generate enough to find the net at least twice, and Morocco's counter-attacks give them a fair chance of scoring too.

TIP 03✓ Hit

Both Teams to Score: Yes

Morocco beat Brazil 2-1 in their last meeting in October 2023 and have attacking players, Rahimi, Brahim Diaz and Saibari, who can hurt anyone on the break. Brazil's defence has looked vulnerable under Ancelotti, with the Selecao finishing fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying and carrying a weakened right-back slot following Wesley's withdrawal. Both teams have the quality to score; neither defence is operating at full strength.

TIP 04✗ Miss

Anytime Goalscorer: Vinicius Jr

Raphinha was involved in more Brazil goals than any other player in 2026 qualifying, but Vinicius Jr is the most dangerous match-winner in the squad when fit and in form. He scored the only goal in Brazil's qualifying win over Paraguay and has been named in Ancelotti's strongest XI throughout preparation. Against a Morocco left flank that must now adapt after Ezzalzouli's departure, Vinicius should find space. At around 2.10, the price reflects his chances fairly.

TIP 05✓ Hit

Double Chance: Home or Draw

Even accounting for Morocco's capacity to frustrate and the absence of several key Brazil players through injury, the idea of an outright Morocco victory looks a stretch. Brazil are five-time world champions going into a group stage opener against a side missing two named starters. The Double Chance covers the realistic outcomes, a narrow Brazil win or a tight draw, and offers a sensible low-risk position given the uncertainty around Neymar and the reshaped Morocco defensive line.

Build the Brazil v Morocco bet

BetFootball Builder · 3 Legs✗ Miss

Home Win

✗ Miss

Match Result

13/18

The anchor leg. Brazil's record against African nations at World Cups is seven wins from eight, and even with the Neymar absence, the squad depth in attack is superior to Morocco's reshuffled backline. This gives the builder its structural foundation, if Brazil win, the other two legs have a strong chance of landing with them.

Yes

✓ Hit

Both Teams to Score

9/10

Morocco beat Brazil 2-1 in 2023 and arrive with Rahimi, Brahim Diaz and Saibari capable of hurting a Brazil defence missing Wesley. A Morocco goal, even in a losing effort, is far from unlikely. This leg complements the result leg without being correlated: Brazil can still win while Morocco find the net once.

Vinicius Jr

✗ Miss

Anytime Goalscorer

11/10

Vinicius scores in a Brazil win and both teams find the net, that is the precise scenario this builder targets. He starts on the left against a Morocco right side that Hakimi will spend much of his time pushing forward from, leaving space in behind. If Morocco are chasing the game in the second half, that gap grows. Vinicius is the most likely individual to exploit it.

Combined Price

88/15

Stake£10.00

Returns£68.63

Profit+£58.63

World Cup · season 2026 · Group CLive snapshot