Vinicius Junior’s mesmerising strike spared Brazil a first defeat in a World Cup opener since 1934 as the record five-time champions earned a point against impressive Morocco in New Jersey.
Reigning Eredivisie Player of the Season Ismael Saibari sauntered on to Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz’s through ball and played a delightful first-time chip over Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to give the Atlas Lions a 21st-minute lead, only for Blancos forward Vinicius Junior to find the inspiration Brazil had lacked by shifting inside the box from the left and curling in 11 minutes later.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti sent on Danilo and Fabinho for Roger Ibanez and Casemiro at half-time, removing two players who had been booked.
Alisson smartly turned away shots by Neil El Aynaoui and Ayoube Amaimouni in swift succession during 10 minutes of second-half added time, with the only two teams ranked inside FIFA’s top 10 to meet each other during the group stage showing how difficult they could prove to beat at a tournament in which both are expected to go far.
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World Cup 2026: How Morocco impressed vs Brazil
Africa Cup of Nations holders Morocco reached the semi-finals in 2022 and Mohamed Ouahbi – a World Cup debutant as a manager, alongside Ancelotti – saw his side produce a performance to suggest they could at least repeat that feat.
“I like the way they play the game,” former Uruguay midfielder and Greece head coach Gus Poyet told BBC Sport.
“It’s not easy to say ‘okay, we’re playing against Brazil, first game of the World Cup – let’s have a go from the beginning’.
“It can work against you. They were very brave, very good on the ball and creating chances until they got the goal. They probably, at that time, deserved it.
“I was surprised by how bad Brazil were technically. They were missing simple passes. In the end, both teams played not to lose and there were hardly any chances in the second half.”
Brazil vs Morocco analysis: Igor Thiago miss
Brentford’s Igor Thiago was the second-top scorer in last season’s Premier League but the Brazil newcomer miscued a splendid early chance to head in Vinicius Junior’s cross.
“I can’t say what I said off-air after his miss, but I would be very disappointed,” said Poyet. “Myself, at least.
“It’s a perfect cross. He made a good run and the ball was in front of him. It looked like he missed it completely.
“He will be disappointed with that because that is why he’s playing today, to have that presence in the box.”
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said Vinicius Junior’s movement had allowed him to beat Achraf Hakimi and provide a delivery “on a plate” for Thiago.
“That’d be everything [Thiago] dreamed of before the game, wouldn’t it?” asked Hart. “He just got his feet wrong and didn’t quite connect. He probably saw the goal before it happened.”
Brazil, Morocco schedule and fixtures at the World Cup
Both teams are next in action on Thursday. Here are their remaining group stage fixtures, with an asterisk denoting matches starting the previous day in that territory.
| Date | Fixture | BST start time | ET | PT |
| June 19 | Scotland vs Morocco | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 |
| June 20 | Brazil vs Haiti | 01:30 | 20:30* | 17:30* |
| June 24 | Scotland vs Brazil | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 |
| June 24 | Morocco vs Haiti | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 |
World Cup 2026: Brazil team vs Morocco
Brazil made two changes from their 2-1 win over Egypt in Cleveland on June 6. Full-back Wesley (adductor) withdrew from the squad earlier in the week and was replaced by Ibanez, with Gabriel also coming in at the back for Leo Pereira, who moved to the bench.
Defender Eder Militao (thigh), winger Willian Estevao (hamstring) and forward Rodrygo (knee) missed out on the finals through injury.
Wesley was replaced in the squad by Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is poised to join Manchester United.
All-time Brazil top scorer Neymar received a surprise call-up after barely featuring at club level over the last three years because of injuries.
The Santos striker watched from the bench while continuing his rehabilitation on an injured left calf.
Brazil starting XI: Alisson, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Roger Ibanez, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Igor Thiago
Brazil substitutes: Weverton, Ederson, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Bremer, Leo Pereira, Ederson Silva, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, Matheus Cunha, Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, Rayan
World Cup 2026: Morocco full line up vs Brazil
Morocco made one alteration from their 1-1 draw with fellow World Cup participants Norway in Harrison the previous Sunday, bringing in Bilal El Khannouss for Abde Ezzalzouli, who is out of the tournament.
Defender Nayef Aguerd missed out on the squad with a groin injury and forward Ezzalzouli withdrew after damaging a knee in a collision with teammate Chadi Riad against Norway.
Angers forward Amine Sbai and veteran centre-back or midfielder Marwane Saadane, of Saudi side Al-Fateh, replaced the duo.
Morocco starting XI: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Brahim Diaz
Morocco substitutes: Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Marwane Saadane, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Youssef Belammari, Redouane Halhal, Anass Salah Eddine, Sofyan Amrabat, Chemsdine Talbi, Samir El Mourabet, Gessime Yassine, Soufiane Rahimi, Amine Sbai, Ayoub El Kaabi, Ayoube Amaimouni
World Cup 2026: Brazil vs Morocco stats
- Brazil’s 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final is the joint-biggest victory in a World Cup final – with Pele scoring one goal and assisting two more – along with Brazil’s 5-2 win against Sweden in 1958 and France’s 3-0 triumph over Brazil in the 1998 final
- The Selecao, Germany, Italy, and Argentina have collectively won 73% of all FIFA World Cup tournaments, claiming 16 of the 22 titles
- They are the only team to have taken part in every single World Cup since its original edition in 1930, with this their 23rd appearance
- Since 1982, Brazil have topped their first-round group in every World Cup. They are also unbeaten in their last 20 opening matches at the finals, with 17 wins and three draws since a 3-1 defeat to Spain in 1934
- Ancelotti is the first non-Brazilian to take charge of Brazil at the finals, although he played for Italy at the 1990 edition, taking part in three matches including the third-place game against England (2-1)
- That performance in 2022 by Morocco was the highest finish by any African nation in the tournament history
- Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was France Under-21 captain until the midfielder’s switch to Morocco was approved in May
- Reigning African Footballer of the Year Hakimi made more tackles (26) than any other player at the 2022 World Cup and recorded the second-most ground duels won (41)
- Born in Spain, Brahim Diaz top-scored at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations with five goals
- Before that run to the last four, Morocco had won two of their 16 matches at World Cup final tournaments
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