Morocco XI vs Brazil - Predicted lineup & team news for FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
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The Atlas Lions are looking to make another historic run at the FIFA World Cup.
Morocco, four years after becoming the first African nation in World Cup history to reach the semi-finals, are preparing for their seventh participation on the largest international platform of all. Many consider them one of the tournament’s main dark horses to make another long run.
Morocco’s first three World Cup appearances were in Mexico (1970 and 1986) and the United States (1994) – two of this summer’s three co-hosts – where they were eliminated in the group stage. They did make an unforgettable run to the last 16 in 1986.
The Atlas Lions have grown into a dominant football nation in recent years, with 33 victories, 10 draws, and only two losses in 45 games since the beginning of 2023. They are now rated seventh in the world, ahead of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Morocco will seek to advance from a World Cup group stage in back-to-back championships for the first time. They face Group C rivals Brazil on Saturday. They have lost two of their previous three matches.
However, they were victorious in their most recent meeting, a friendly 2-1 victory in March 2023.
Also read: Brazil XI vs Morocco – Predicted lineup & team news for FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
Morocco team news vs Brazil
Nayef Aguerd (groin) and winger Abde Ezzalzouli (knee) will miss the World Cup owing to injuries. They have been replaced by Al Fateh’s Marwane Saadane and Angers’ Amine Sbai.
Ezzalzouli was injured in the friendly tie with Norway, and Noussair Mazraoui was forced to leave the game due to a shoulder condition. While the defender’s injury is not considered significant, his availability will be determined later.
Skipper Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz are two Moroccan talents set to start; the latter scored his 14th international goal in 26 games against Norway. Diaz might form part of a fluid three-man assault with Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss.
Morocco’s predicted lineup vs Brazil
Morocco predicted lineup (4-3-3): Bounou (GK); Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Amrabat, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Diaz, Saibari, El Khannouss
When is Morocco’s opening World Cup game?
14th June, 3:30 am IST.
Who is their first World Cup opponent?
Brazil.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.