The - albeit controversial - AFCON champions face five-time world champions Brazil in a huge group C opener in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Five-time world champions Brazil begin their Group C campaign at the 2026 World Cup on Saturday, facing Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The bookies have this lined up as a clear Selecao win with Brazil priced at 8/13 with Sky Bet while the dubious AFCON champions are 5/1 with Paddy Power and a draw is 3/1 with Betfred. You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers.

Brazil arrive determined to respond to their quarter-final exit four years ago, and they do so under Carlo Ancelotti, appointed in May 2025 as the first foreign head coach in the nation’s history. The Selecao remain the competition’s most decorated side, but they have not won the trophy since 2002, leaving them in a drought comparable to the spell that ran from 1970 to 1994 before ending on US soil.

Qualification was more laborious than usual, with Brazil finishing fifth in CONMEBOL after eight wins, four draws and six defeats. They ended qualifying with a surprise 1-0 loss to Bolivia and have also been beaten in friendlies by Japan and France, though they have since won three straight matches against Croatia, Panama and Egypt, scoring 11 goals in the process.

Ranked fifth by FIFA, Brazil have won seven of their eight World Cup matches against African opponents, the lone exception a 1-0 group defeat to Cameroon at Qatar 2022, and they are widely backed to progress from Group C.

Morocco, meanwhile, return to the finals for a seventh time, still buoyed by their historic run to the semi-finals in 2022. The Atlas Lions have become a consistent force, posting 33 wins, 10 draws and only two defeats in 45 matches since the start of 2023, and are ranked seventh in the world.

After Walid Regragui stepped down less than 100 days before the tournament, former Under-23 coach Mohamed Ouahbi took over and is unbeaten in five games, most recently drawing 1-1 with Norway. Morocco are aiming to reach the knockout rounds in consecutive World Cups for the first time.

Brazil vs Morocco Prediction

• Brazil to win and both teams to score - 3/1 (Sky Bet)
• Brahim Diaz to score anytime - 5/1 (Paddy Power)

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Brazil vs Morocco Team News

Brazil are likely to be without Neymar, who is still recovering from a grade-two calf injury, while right-back Wesley has been ruled out of the World Cup after picking up a muscle problem against Egypt. Late call-up Ederson has been trialled at right-back in training, with Danilo and Roger Ibanez also options. Alisson, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bruno Guimaraes, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha are expected to start, while Carlo Ancelotti must choose between Matheus Cunha, Endrick or Igor Thiago as the central striker.

Morocco will miss Nayef Aguerd (groin) and Abde Ezzalzouli (knee), replaced by Marwane Saadane and Amine Sbai. Noussair Mazraoui is a doubt after a shoulder issue against Norway, but captain Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz should feature, with Diaz potentially joined in attack by Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss.

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