Brazil open their FIFA World Cup campaign against the breakout stars from the previous edition, Morocco, making this Group C heavyweight clash in New Jersey one of the most eye-catching early group games.
Brazil begin their bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup title on the back of three straight friendly wins in which they scored a total of 11 goals, highlighting the attacking threat that has them among the leading contenders for overall tournament glory.
The Seleção won the last time the United States hosted the competition back in 1994, so they have happy memories of North America even though they’ve only got past the quarter-finals once since they last won in 2002. Despite their recent woes (by their lofty standards) at the World Cup, no team have played (114) or won (76) more World Cup games than Brazil, so they will expect to justify their short odds for this opener.
Morocco can’t match Brazil’s historic World Cup pedigree, with this being just their seventh appearance, but the side that finished fourth in 2022 have proved that their run to the semi-finals in Qatar was no fluke, subsequently coming through qualifying with a 100% win rate (8/8) before winning the Arab Cup and reaching the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Since being awarded the latter title earlier this year, the Atlas Lions are unbeaten across five friendlies (W3, D2), including drawing 1-1 with Norway on Sunday, so Mohamed Ouahbi’s in-form side will be hopeful of making a good start despite the illustrious nature of their opponents here.
Brazil have won two of the three previous H2Hs (L1) including a group game in the 1998 World Cup, although Morocco won the most recent meeting 2-1 in a 2023 friendly.
