The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see one of its first major matchups this Saturday. Brazil and Morocco will face off at MetLife Stadium (renamed New York/New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup) in a match that promises excitement from start to finish and could set the tone for Group C.
It’s not just about Brazil’s first match of the tournament. It will also be Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup debut at the helm of the Canarinho, a team arriving under pressure to return to the highest level. But standing in their way is an opponent that is no longer an underdog. Morocco arrives with sky-high confidence following its historic performance at Qatar 2022, where it became the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals.
That’s why, within the Moroccan camp, no one feels outmatched.
“I think that in a match like this, in a tournament like the World Cup, there are no favorites. It’s 50/50,” said captain Achraf Hakimi at the pre-match press conference.
The Paris Saint-Germain fullback was clear in pointing out that the match will be decided by small details and by each team’s ability to capitalize on its opportunities.
“It will be a very even match; victory will depend on small details. We hope that efficiency is on our side,” he added.
Hakimi’s words reflect the momentum Morocco is currently riding. Far from settling, Morocco have continued to improve and now aim to establish themselves among the world’s soccer powerhouses.
Their coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, also expressed optimism ahead of the match.
“The vibe is positive; we’re very confident. We trust in the players’ condition and in the principles we’ve sought to instill. The matches will tell us where we stand,” the coach explained.
However, history is not on Morocco’s side. The African team has never won an opening match at a World Cup, nor has it managed to defeat a South American opponent in the competition.
Interestingly, the only CONMEBOL team it has faced in a World Cup is Brazil. That match dates back to France 1998, when the powerful Brazilian generation led by Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Bebeto decisively defeated Morocco 3-0 in Nantes. However, it has been 28 years since that match, and the context is very different.
Brazil remains a historic powerhouse with five World Cup titles, but Morocco has already shown that it can compete on equal terms against any opponent.
Furthermore, the buzz surrounding Carlo Ancelotti adds a special element to the match. The Italian coach, a multiple title winner in Europe, is facing his first World Cup with the mission of returning Brazil to the top of world soccer. His ability to manage a star-studded squad will be put to the test from day one.
With two teams in top form, a packed stadium, and millions of fans watching around the globe, Brazil and Morocco will headline one of the most exciting matches of the group stage.
Beyond the history and the statistics, this Saturday, there will be something at stake that cannot be measured: the opportunity to send a message to the rest of the world that they are ready to fight for glory at the 2026 World Cup.
