MATCH PREVIEW:
This meeting will be the fourth time Brazil face Morocco. Brazil have two wins, while Morocco have one, their latest meeting in 2023, a friendly, which the Atlas Lions won 2-1.
The last time Brazil played Morocco at a World Cup was in 1998 also in a group game as Brazil won 3-0, thanks to goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.
Morocco have a better form guide than Brazil in the last five games, drawing with Norway and thrashing Madagascar in June friendlies. Before that, they thumped Burundi in May, and beat Panama and drew with Ecuador in March.
Brazil registered victories over Egypt and Panama in pre-World Cup friendlies and beat Croatia in March. But they lost to France in March and drew with Tunisia in November last year.
It is always special when Brazil play in the World Cup.
They have won the competition a record five times and were champions when the United States hosted the 1994 tournament.
But what a way to start off this time around as they face a Morocco side that reached the World Cup semi-finals four years ago.
Morocco are currently seventh in the Fifa rankings and reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing to France.
They were controversially declared winners of last year’s Africa Cup of Nations after Senegal had their victory overturned for their walk-off during the final.
Africa had three quarter-finalists – Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 – before Morocco upset Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to the last four in Qatar to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
The one thing underpinning the North Africans’ success has been long-term investment backed by the country’s King Mohammed VI.
An academy and $65m (£48.7m) training complex, both bearing his name, opened in 2009 and 2019 respectively and have helped the Atlas Lions establish themselves as Africa’s top-ranked side.
“Morocco has created a blueprint of how it can be done, which is years and years of investing in grassroot football and academies,” former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong told BBC Sport Africa.
“It starts with structure, with planning. Investment is very, very important. It has to be something that comes from federations being supported from a governmental level.
“Morocco have invested not just money but also time and effort, with a clear idea of how they can progress. The facilities they have, the consistency throughout their age groups, That’s the only blueprint you can follow.”
ANALYSIS:
The Atlas Lions put Arab football firmly on the map when they became Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalists in 2022.
But despite masterminding that success, Walid Regragui is no longer in charge.
Regragui was criticised by supporters for a perceived lack of attacking intent, so expect the incoming Mohamed Ouahbi to take a less cautious approach.
He is likely to set up in a fluid 4-1-4-1 formation, which shifts into a 4-3-3. The emphasis will be on attacking wide areas and getting crosses into the box.
How Ouahbi integrates teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi will also be fascinating – the 18-year-old captained France’s under-21 side just a few months ago and his call-up is a statement of intent.
Carlo Ancelotti’s news conference was coming to an end when he addressed the elephant in the room in his typically subtle, elegant way.
“People sometimes say Brazil don’t have a star right now. Maybe that’s true,” the Brazil manager said before the friendly against Panama in late May.
“We don’t have a Pele, a Romario or a Ronaldo, but we can have a shared sense of responsibility, and that can be a very powerful thing.”
The expectation was for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, by now, to have become the Selecao’s leading figure.
Yet, four years on from a penalty shoot-out exit against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, doubts remain around the 25-year-old forward.
Such is the situation that, following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by France in March, the debate in his homeland pivoted to whether Vinicius still deserved a place in the starting XI.
“Should Vinicius be dropped?” asked one of Brazil’s most traditional football panel shows, ESPN’s Linha de Passe.
Even with the arrival of former Real Madrid serial winner Ancelotti, arguably the most impactful coach Vinicius has had in his club career, the question that has defined his national team story so far continues to follow him.
Its gist is simply this: “Why can’t Vinicius reproduce his Madrid form with the Selecao?”
Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz was the star for Morocco at Afcon 2025, scoring five goals as the hosts reached the final, but now has some making up to do.
With the game goalless deep in second-half stoppage time, the 26-year-old endured a moment to forget when his attempted Panenka penalty was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
PREDICTIONS:
Sadiq’s Prediction: Brazil may not have a single dominant superstar in the mould of Pelé, Romário or Ronaldo, but Carlo Ancelotti’s emphasis on collective responsibility could prove decisive against a youthful Moroccan side.
The Selecao still possess enormous technical quality across the pitch and are likely to control possession while stretching Morocco’s evolving defensive structure.
Morocco’s new coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, is expected to adopt a more adventurous 4-1-4-1 system that transforms into a 4-3-3. While that approach could create attacking opportunities, it may also leave spaces for Brazil’s quick transitions and wide attackers to exploit.
Vinicius Jr, despite ongoing scrutiny over his national-team form, remains capable of making the difference in one-on-one situations.
My Prediction: Brazil 2 Morocco 0
Peter’s Prediction: A draw may be the most balanced outcome. Morocco are ambitious, energetic and fearless, while Brazil are still adapting to Ancelotti’s methods and searching for a clear attacking identity.
The Atlas Lions’ fluid shape and willingness to attack wide areas could trouble Brazil’s defence, while the Selecao’s technical quality should ensure they create opportunities of their own.
Morocco’s youthful squad may lack experience, but their hunger and athleticism can compensate. With both teams possessing quality players capable of deciding moments, a hard-fought stalemate looks entirely plausible.
My Prediction: Brazil 2 Morocco 2
Gbenga’s Prediction: This could be an entertaining contest between two attack-minded teams. Morocco’s desire to play with greater freedom under Ouahbi and attack through the wings may result in an open game, but that could also play into Brazil’s hands.
Brazil have greater tournament experience and a stronger track record at the highest level. Morocco’s squad is one of the youngest at the World Cup, and while talents such as Ayyoub Bouaddi and Brahim Diaz offer excitement, they may struggle to maintain consistency against elite opposition.
Ancelotti’s tactical discipline and Brazil’s superior attacking depth could eventually overwhelm the Atlas Lions.
My Prediction: Brazil 2 Morocco 1
Gloria’s Prediction: An upset is not impossible. Morocco have already shown on the world stage that they can compete with football’s traditional powers, becoming Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalists in 2022. Although Regragui has departed, the team still retains much of its defensive organisation and competitive spirit.
If Morocco successfully combine their traditional resilience with Ouahbi’s more adventurous attacking philosophy, they could catch Brazil off guard. Brahim Diaz remains a key figure despite his painful penalty miss at AFCON 2025, while Bouaddi’s creativity could provide the spark in midfield.
Brazil’s ongoing uncertainty surrounding Vinicius Jr’s influence with the national team may again become a talking point if chances go begging.
My Prediction: Brazil 2 Morocco 3
PREVIOUS MATCHES RECAP
Match Recap: Qatar 1–1 Switzerland
Qatar produced a dramatic late comeback to earn their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals, scoring deep into stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in a thrilling Group B encounter. A match that appeared destined to end in a routine Swiss victory was transformed in the dying moments as Julen Lopetegui’s side showed resilience and determination to rescue an unlikely result.
The decisive moment arrived in the 94th minute when Boualem Khoukhi rose highest to head home Homam El Amin’s cross, sparking wild celebrations among the Qatar players, coaching staff and supporters. The goal marked a historic milestone for the Gulf nation, which had lost all three of its matches as hosts at the 2022 World Cup and had never previously earned a point at football’s biggest tournament.
For much of the contest, however, Switzerland looked comfortably in control. Murat Yakın’s side dominated possession, dictated the tempo and created the majority of the clear-cut chances. Their superiority was rewarded in the first half when striker Breel Embolo converted from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada brought down Remo Freuler inside the area. Although television replays suggested the Bologna midfielder may have been marginally offside in the build-up, the goal stood and handed Switzerland a deserved lead.
The Swiss continued to press for a second goal and appeared likely to secure all three points. At that stage, they were on course to move to the top of Group B ahead of tougher assignments against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada. Their dominance was reflected in the number of opportunities they created, but their inability to convert those chances ultimately proved costly.
Nottingham Forest forward Dan Ndoye was particularly wasteful, failing to capitalise on several promising openings. Ruben Vargas and Embolo also missed gilt-edged opportunities that could have put the game beyond Qatar’s reach. Switzerland’s profligate finishing, combined with a noticeable drop in intensity during the closing stages, left the door open for their opponents to mount a late challenge.
Qatar, despite being outclassed for long periods, never stopped believing. Their persistence was rewarded with one final attack in stoppage time, and Khoukhi’s header ensured a remarkable conclusion to a largely one-sided affair.
The result not only earned Qatar a historic first World Cup point but also breathed new life into their Group B campaign. Switzerland will now turn their attention to a crucial clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 18, while Qatar face co-hosts Canada later the same day in Vancouver, buoyed by a result that could prove significant in their quest for a place in the knockout stages.
