World Cup: Brazil debuts with the toughest challenge in group C and behind the ideal team
The big day has arrived. This Saturday (13), the Brazilian team begins another quest for a sixth world championship, facing a quarry, right in the debut of group C of the 2026 World Cup: Morocco.
The match at the New York and New Jersey Stadium, which will also host the World Cup final, starts at 7pm (Brasília time) - find out where to watch - and will be narrated by CNN Esportes em TEMPO REAL.
The other game in the first round of group C is also scheduled for this Saturday. At 10pm, Scotland and Haiti face off in Boston.
Brazil debuts with a team that is still undefined
Unlike what happened in other recent cycles, Carlo Ancelotti's Brazilian team debuts at the 2026 World Cup with a face that is still undefined, in the midst of tests and few guaranteed places.
Right-back Wesley, who had been a starter, ended up missing due to injury. With that, Ancelotti tested the experienced Danilo and the improvised Ibañez. The Flamengo player should take the place.
On the other side, Alex Sandro, also from Flamengo, is the favorite to start at left-back, but sees the shadow of Douglas Santos. The red-and-black trio would be completed by Lucas Paquetá, who would reinforce the midfield, replacing winger Luiz Henrique.
Up front, more uncertainty. Matheus Cunha has everything to start the match against Morocco as "9", but finds himself under pressure from Igor Thiago and Endrick, who stood out in the friendlies against Panama and Egypt, respectively. Recovering from injury, Neymar has not yet trained.
-
Change imageChange image
1 of 19
Neymar, Brazilian national team striker - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
2 of 19
Neyma poses for the national team rehearsal - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
3 of 19
Vinicius Jr., Seleção striker - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
4 of 19
Raphinha, Brazilian national team striker - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
5 of 19
Bruno Guimarães, midfielder for the national team - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
6 of 19
Marquinhos, national team defender - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
7 of 19
Endrick, Brazilian national team striker - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
8 of 19
Gabriel Martinelli, Seleção striker - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
9 of 19
Gabriel Magalhães, national team defender - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
10 of 19
Alisson, national team goalkeeper - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
11 of 19
Casemiro, midfielder for the national team - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
12 of 19
Bremer, national team defender - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
13 of 19
Lucas Paquetá, midfielder for the national team - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
14 of 19
Douglas Santos, national team defender - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
15 of 19
Igor Thiago, Seleção striker - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
16 of 19
Danilo, midfielder for the national team - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
17 of 19
Ibañez, national team defender - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
18 of 19
Weverton, national team goalkeeper - FIFA via Getty Images
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
19 of 19
Carlo Ancelotti, national team coach - FIFA via Getty Images
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
default view
full view
grid view
Morocco: from underdog to tough match
In addition to internal doubts, the Brazilian team finds itself facing an unusual scenario in its history: debuting in the World Cup against a team that went further than it did in the previous edition.
Morocco was the big surprise of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, only falling in the semi-final to runners-up France and becoming the first African semi-finalist team in the history of the World Cup.
Four years later, the Atlas Lions arrive as strong or stronger, at least on paper and in the cycle. In January, Morocco reached the final of the African Cup of Nations (CAN). He lost on the field, but was champion on the court - remember.
The team, which was already tactically efficient and fierce, gained the "reinforcement" of midfielder Brahim Díaz, from Real Madrid, a negative protagonist in the CAN final, despite having had a great campaign. On the other hand, they lost two likely starters on the eve of the World Cup: defender Aguerd and winger Ezzalzouli.
Probable lineups for Brazil x Morocco
- Brazil: Alisson; Danilo (Ibañez), Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Vinicius Jr.
and Matheus Cunha. Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.
- Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riyadh and Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi and Ounahi; Brahim Díaz, Talbi and Saibari. Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi.
Brazil x Morocco refereeing team
- Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
- Assistant 1: Tomaz Klancnik (Slovenia)
- Assistant 2: Andraz Kovacic (Slovenia)
- 4th referee: Sandro Schaerer (Switzerland)
- Reserve assistant referee: Stephane de Almeida (Switzerland)
Selection: Ancelotti rules out cutting Neymar for World Cup
Source: CNN