Brazil faces Morocco in high-stakes Group C opener at World Cup 2026

Two top-10 sides collide early

Brazil, sixth in the FIFA ranking, launches its 23rd World Cup campaign against seventh-placed Morocco. It is the only group-phase fixture in the 48-team tournament pitting two teams inside the global top 10. The match, on the night of Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 June, starts the Group C programme, with Scotland and Haiti the other members.

The Brazilian squad, under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, aims to end a title drought stretching to 2002. Morocco arrives as the reigning African champion and a 2022 semi-finalist, hoping to prove that its Qatar run was not a one-off.

Brazil’s form and question marks

Brazil finished only fifth in Conmebol qualifying, scoring 24 goals in 18 matches (1.3 per game), its lowest return since the current format was introduced 30 years ago. Ancelotti, who has stabilised the side with an offensive yet pragmatic style, will rely on Vinicius Jr and Raphinha on the flanks. Neymar is in the squad but his availability for the opener is uncertain. Injuries have ruled out central defender Éder Militão and forward Rodrygo, while teenager Endrick could offer fresh legs off the bench.

Historically, Brazil has not lost a World Cup opener since 1934, putting together a run of 17 wins and three draws in its last 20 opening matches.

Morocco’s credentials

Morocco reached the semi-finals in 2022, the best ever World Cup finish by an African team, and won the Cup of African Nations a few months ago. In qualifying for 2026 the side went unbeaten, scoring 22 goals and conceding only two. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi has lost two squad members to injury (Nayef Aguerd and Ez Abde, replaced by Marwane Saâdane and Amine Sbaï), but the spine of the team remains strong: captain Achraf Hakimi, goalkeeper Bono, midfielder Amrabat and the creative Brahim Díaz are all available.

The last meeting between the teams, a friendly in Tangier three years ago, ended 2-1 in Morocco’s favour.

Broadcast and match schedule

For viewers in Spain, the match will be broadcast free-to-air on La 1, RTVE Play, and also available on DAZN and Movistar+. Kick-off is at 00:00 Spanish peninsular time (23:00 Saturday in the Canary Islands). The day’s programme also includes Qatar–Switzerland (21:00 Saturday), Haiti–Scotland (03:00 Sunday), and Australia–Turkey (06:00 Sunday).