Morocco begin their 2026 World Cup campaign tonight with a huge Group C test against Brazil.
It will be the first competitive match at a major tournament for both teams’ new managers. Brazil are starting a new era under Carlo Ancelotti, while Morocco open a fresh chapter with Mohamed Ouahbi in charge of the Atlas Lions.
Match information
Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup – Group C
Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026
Kick-off: 11pm Morocco time
Venue: MetLife Stadium
Referee: Slavko Vinčić
How to Watch
The match will be shown live on:
• beIN Sports English 2
• beIN Sports France HD 2
• beIN Sports MAX 1 Arabia
• M6 (France)
Brazil without Neymar
Brazil will be without Neymar for their opening match. The country’s all time leading scorer has been ruled out with a calf injury and did not feature in any of the warm up games before the tournament.
The five time world champions are also missing full back Wesley França, who was injured during a friendly win over Egypt. He has been replaced in the squad by Éderson.
With Neymar unavailable, much of Brazil’s attacking threat is expected to come from the wide areas through Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha.
Morocco dealing with key absences
Morocco have injury concerns of their own. Defender Nayef Aguerd has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to fully recover from groin surgery.
Winger Abde Ezzalzouli is also unavailable after suffering a knee injury against Norway.
To cover those absences, Ouahbi has called up Amine Sbaï and Marwane Saâdane.
There is also a doubt over Noussair Mazraoui. The Manchester United defender is struggling with a shoulder injury picked up against Norway.
What the managers said
Ancelotti expects a tough evening against Morocco.
“It is difficult to score against the Moroccan national team. It requires a special attacking performance. Haiti and Scotland are physical teams, but they do not have Morocco’s individual quality.”
Ouahbi believes his side will rise to the occasion.
“Against Brazil, we will show a better version of ourselves, with commitment and determination to make Moroccan supporters proud.”
Previous meetings
Tonight’s game will be the fourth meeting between the two nations.
Brazil have won two of the previous three encounters, but Morocco came out on top when they last met in 2023.
25 March 2023 – Friendly
Morocco 2-1 Brazil
Goals: Sofiane Boufal, Abdelhamid Sabiri; Casemiro
16 June 1998 – World Cup group stage
Brazil 3-0 Morocco
Goals: Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Bebeto
9 October 1997 – Friendly
Brazil 2-0 Morocco
Goals: Denílson (2)
