Match Preview: Brazil vs Morocco

– JUNE 06: Players of Brazil pose for a team photo prior to the international friendly match between Brazil and Egypt (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Five-time world champions Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign at the MetLife stadium on Saturday, where they will face a strong Morocco team who are trying to build on their run to the semi-finals back in 2022. The Selecao are looking to end their joint-longest run without being crowned World champions.

Team news

Brazil will be without Neymar for their opening game, as the 34-year old still has not taken part in full training. Neymar was targeting this fixture as a potential return date, but he will be made to wait to have his impact on this tournament. The South American side will also be without fullback Wesley as he has been ruled out of the tournament, and has been replaced by Atalanta midfielder Ederson.

As for Morocco, the African nation were forced into making two changes to their squad on Thursday, with winger Abde Ezzalzoui and defender Nayef Aguerd ruled out of the tournament, which could prove to be costly for the African champions.

Carlo Ancelotti has stated that his main plan for the game is in place, The Brazil manager said

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti on if there is any pressure to face the African Champions. “Do we have pressure to face Morocco, Africa’s champions? Well, pressure is a good thing. If you face a lion without fear, you will think it’s just a cat.”

“To win it’s really difficult to say,” said the Brazil manager. “We can compete and we are ready to compete. We have a good feeling about this World Cup.”

Ancelotti on his first World Cup as manager “It’s a new and special experience, I want to enjoy this stage with joy and happiness because it’s a very beautiful moment in my career and in my story.”

“Morocco is a great team and they have complete players to play in Europe. In order to beat them, we have to defend better and attack better, or else we will be in trouble.”

Mohamed Ouahbi

The Morocco manager stated “Brazil has very competent staff, which has already analyzed our team as well as what I was able to do previously. I don’t see why you’re so impatient to know how we’re going to play. Wait until tomorrow”

Ouahbi on Noussair Mazraoui’s fitness “Mazraoui has trained, which means he’s fine. All the players are available.”

“We know that Morocco has entered another dimension, we must also own it. We must not fear Brazil, but respect them.”

Ouahbi on Chemsdine Talbi’s current fitness “If i’ve called up these players. it’s because they’re all physically ready. Talbi is ready and is an option on the left side.”

Head-to-head

Morocco have their work cut out for them, as Brazil have not lost a world cup opener since 1934. However, you would not put it past the Atlas Lions to get a result.

Brazil did actually suffer defeat the previous time these two teams met back in March 2023, with Sofiane Boufal an then Abdelhamid Sabiri cancelling out Casemiro’s equalizer to secure a 2-1 victory.

Kick off is at 6:00 PM ET and will be shown on Fox Sports in English, and Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish.