Carlo Ancelotti will take charge of his first FIFA World Cup match as Brazil coach on Saturday when the five-time champions open their Group C campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The clash pits two of the highest-ranked nations in the tournament against each other, with Brazil entering the competition eager to end a 24-year wait for World Cup glory while Morocco aim to prove that their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 was no fluke.
Brazil arrive in the United States under fresh leadership after Ancelotti became the first foreign manager in the history of the Brazilian national team. The Italian brings a wealth of experience after winning league titles and Champions League trophies across Europe, and expectations remain as high as ever for a nation that measures success by World Cup triumphs.
Although Brazil remain the most successful team in World Cup history with five titles, they have not lifted the trophy since 2002. Their recent qualification campaign was far from convincing, with the Selecao finishing fifth in the CONMEBOL standings after suffering six defeats in 18 matches.
However, signs of improvement have emerged in recent months. Brazil head into the tournament on the back of victories over Croatia, Panama and Egypt, scoring 11 goals across those three matches. The attacking quality available to Ancelotti remains one of the strongest in the competition, led by Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior and Barcelona star Raphinha.
Manchester United-bound midfielder Ederson has been called into the squad, while Premier League trio Alisson Becker, Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes are all expected to feature prominently. Neymar remains unavailable due to a calf injury, while Wesley has been ruled out of the tournament.
Morocco, meanwhile, continue to establish themselves as one of world football’s most dangerous emerging forces. The Atlas Lions stunned the football world in Qatar by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, defeating Spain and Portugal along the way.
Since the start of 2023, Morocco have maintained impressive consistency, recording 33 victories in 45 matches. Their rise has been built on defensive organisation, technical quality and a growing generation of players competing at Europe’s highest level.
The North Africans underwent a managerial change shortly before the tournament, with Mohamed Ouahbi replacing Walid Regragui. Despite the disruption, Morocco remain unbeaten under their new coach, collecting three wins and two draws from five matches.
Captain Achraf Hakimi will once again be central to Morocco’s hopes, while Brahim Diaz has emerged as one of the team’s most influential attacking players. The creative midfielder has scored 14 goals in 26 appearances for his country and will be expected to provide inspiration in the final third.
Morocco have injury concerns of their own, with Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli both unavailable for the tournament. Noussair Mazraoui is also being assessed ahead of kickoff after suffering a shoulder problem in the recent draw against Norway.
Saturday’s encounter represents one of the standout fixtures of the opening round of group-stage matches. Morocco defeated Brazil 2-1 in a friendly meeting in 2023, proving they are capable of troubling the South American giants.
Nevertheless, Brazil possess greater depth across the pitch and appear to be growing in confidence under Ancelotti. With Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta supporting the attack, the Selecao should create enough opportunities to break down a Moroccan defence missing key personnel.
The result could have a significant impact on the battle for top spot in Group C, making a strong start crucial for both nations. Morocco will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stages once again, but avoiding defeat against Brazil would represent a major statement of intent.
Prediction: Brazil 3-1 Morocco
Brazil’s superior attacking firepower and tournament experience could prove decisive in New Jersey. Morocco are likely to pose problems on the counterattack, but the Selecao should have enough quality to secure all three points and begin their World Cup campaign with a victory.
