Preview: Brazil vs Morocco prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil begin their hunt for sixth World Cup trophy against African champions Morocco in New Jersey

Situated within the New Jersey Meadowlands, the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, USA, gears up to host the opening match week fixture in Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring the most successful team in World Cup history, Brazil and the first African team to make it to the World Cup semi-finals, Morocco.

The South American heavyweights enter the FIFA World Cup 2026 with the hope of ending a long 24-year World Cup medal drought. In the last five editions, they reached the World Cup semi finals only once back in 2014 when they suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany on home soil.

Brazil are World Cup ready 🤩📸#FIFAWorldCup | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/fvaciDKTWQ

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 6, 2026

They roped in five-time Champions League-winning gaffer Carlo Ancelotti, who will be the first non Brazilian coach to lead them into the World Cup 2026. Brazil rediscovered their lost form, just at the right time.

They are coming after wins over Croatia, Panama and Egypt but have failed to keep even a single clean sheet in the last five games and Ancelotti must fix this before a high stake opening game against Morocco.

Morocco are the reigning AFCON Champions who also created history in the last World Cup by becoming the first African side to reach the semi finals. They are one of the dark horses of this tournament, who would be keen to pull a big upset against Brazil in the opening encounter.

Few months ago, they parted ways with Walid Regragui to appoint Mohamed Ouahbi as the head coach. He is coming after winning the U20 FIFA World Cup and has immense experience working with young talents.

This is set to be a mouth-watering clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Brazil would look to kickstart their campaign optimistically with a win. For Morocco, they are no longer underdogs and beating a heavyweight like Brazil would set the tone right for the next two games.

Kick-off:

• Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
• Stadium: New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium)
• Date: Saturday, June 13 [Sunday, June 14 IST]
• Kick-off time: 10 p.m. BST [3:30 a.m. IST, Sunday, June 14 / 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, June 13]
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Brazil (in all competitions): W-W-W-L-D

Morocco (in all competitions): D-W-W-D-W

Players to Watch

Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)

One of the best defensive midfielders in modern football, Bruno Guimaraes is coming after a highly productive spell with the Magpies. He even scored in Brazil’s most recent encounter against Egypt.

From being an impact sub in 2022 to becoming an undisputed starter for Ancelotti, Guimaraes has a big role to play in Brazil’s midfield alongside Casemiro.

He is brilliant in winning ground duels and breaks up counterattacks with sheer power and perfectly timed sliding tackles. At a time when Brazil have failed to keep clean sheets in the last few games, Guimaraes’ role becomes more important to offer defensive stability in the midfield.

Brahim Diaz (Morocco)

At 26, Diaz has already plied his trade with top European clubs like AC Milan, Manchester City and Real Madrid. He is coming after an decent season with Real Madrid, where he had 10 goal contributions in over 45 games for the Los Blancos.

What makes Diaz elite in the wings is the fact that he is two-footed, and defenders often cannot predict his directional change. His pairing with Hakimi on the right wing makes Morocco one of the strongest teams on the right flank.

Diaz switched his allegiance from Spain to Morocco, and he is coming after scoring against Norway in Morocco’s most recent 1-1 draw in the friendlies.

Match Facts

• Brazil defeated Morocco 3-0 when these two sides last met at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
• Morocco won the game 2-1 when these two sides last met in a friendly in 2023.
• Denilson of Brazil is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.

Brazil vs Morocco: Betting Tips and Odds

• Match to end in a draw – 11/4 with Betfred
• Vini Jr to score – 7/4 with Betfred
• Brazil 1-1 Morocco – 13/2 with Betfred

Injury and Team News

Brazil World Cup squad

Fans would have loved to see Neymar starting, but he is undergoing rehabilitation for a grade-two calf muscle tear and also missed the training and will most likely be out for the opener.

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg)

Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).

Morocco World Cup squad

In the last friendly against Norway, Abde Ezzalzouli got injured and is expected to be out. Noussair Mazraoui also picked up an injury but is expected to recover in time and start against Brazil.

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Munir El Kajou (Renaissance Berkane), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (AS FAR)

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Nayef Aguerd (Olympique Marseille), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (Fulham), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Zakaria El Ouahdi (KRC Genk), Redouane Halhal (Mechelen), Youssef Belammari (Al-Ahly)

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona FC), Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma), Bilal El Khannouss (VfB Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille LOSC), Gessime Yassine (Strasbourg)

Forwards: Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain SC), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Ayoube Amaimouni (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Full Fixtures, Schedule, Results, Match Timings & Where to Watch

Head-to-Head

Total games: 03

Brazil won: 02

Morocco won: 01

Matches drawn: 00

Predicted Lineups

Brazil predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Alisson (GK); Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá, Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Vini Jr

Morocco predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Yassine Bounou (GK); Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui; Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi; Brahim Diaz, Bilal El Khannouss, Soufiane Rahimi; Ayoub El Kaabi

Match Prediction

Looking at the recent form and squad depth of both teams, we expect this game to end in a closely contested, hard-fought draw for Morocco. The African giant’s left flank looks shaky and the attack doesn’t look promising, though after Abde Ezzalzouli picked up an injury. But Brazil have their own problems and keeping a clean sheet has not been easy for them.

Prediction: Brazil 1-1 Morocco

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

Full Broadcaster List here.

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