The 2026 FIFA World Cup’s most compelling Group C match arrives early: Brazil vs Morocco at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Saturday, 12 June 2026 (04:00 UTC Sunday). Five-time world champions Brazil, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, face a Morocco side ranked seventh in the world and unbeaten in five. Our prediction: Brazil to win. All markets on SportPesa.
Lets go the world and win
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group C opener |
| Date & kick-off | Saturday, 12 June 2026 at 23:00 ET / Sunday 04:00 UTC |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA |
| Where to watch | Supersport, GoTV or DSTV |
Ancelotti’s Brazil meet the world’s most improved side
When Carlo Ancelotti accepted the Brazil job — ending one of football’s longest-running coaching courtships — he inherited a squad that had underperformed at every major tournament since 2002. The five-time world champions have exited at the quarter-final stage in three of the last four World Cups. His task is to impose the tactical clarity and winning culture he has built at club level onto a national team still searching for its identity under tournament pressure.
What he has, on paper, is extraordinary talent. Vinicius Junior and Raphinha are among the most dangerous wide attackers in the world. Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes give the midfield authority. Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos form a reliable defensive partnership. But their CONMEBOL qualifying campaign — fifth place, six defeats, no air of inevitability — revealed that talent does not automatically translate into results for this Brazil generation.
Morocco, managed by Walid Regragui, represent the most consistent international side outside of Europe over the past three years. Since January 2023 they have lost just twice in 45 matches, winning 33. They are ranked seventh globally — ahead of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Their Qatar 2022 semi-final run announced them to the world. This World Cup, on North American soil, is where they intend to go further. The losses of Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli to injury are real setbacks, but Regragui has consistently shown the ability to absorb individual losses and maintain team performance.
Team news and expected line-ups
Brazil’s most significant injury concern is right-back Wesley, ruled out after a muscle injury sustained in the warm-up win over Egypt. Carlo Ancelotti tested Ederson in that position in training, with Danilo and Roger Ibanez as the more conventional options. Alisson Becker starts in goal. The back line of Marquinhos, Gabriel, Sandro and Danilo is expected, with Casemiro and Guimaraes in the midfield pivot. Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Paqueta provide the creative engine, while Ancelotti must choose between Matheus Cunha, Endrick and Igor Thiago as the central striker.
Brazil expected XI: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Raphinha, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr; Cunha.
Morocco lose Aguerd (groin) and Ezzalzouli (knee) before the tournament begins. Mazraoui is assessed for a shoulder issue but may feature. Achraf Hakimi captains the side and plays as right wing-back in Morocco’s system. Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss create in attack behind the striker. Sofyan Amrabat anchors the midfield, providing the defensive work rate that allows Morocco’s attackers to operate freely.
Morocco expected XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Amrabat, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Diaz, Saibari, El Khannouss.
Key stats
- Brazil: 5-time World Cup champions. Only nation to qualify for all 23 World Cup tournaments. FIFA #5.
- Brazil form (last 6): W D L W W W — three consecutive wins in warm-ups, 11 goals scored.
- Morocco: FIFA #7. W33 D10 L2 in 45 internationals since January 2023.
- Morocco form (last 6): W D W W W D — unbeaten in five.
- Morocco injuries: Aguerd out (groin), Ezzalzouli out (knee), Mazraoui doubtful (shoulder).
- Brazil injuries: Wesley out (muscle). [Verify full squad availability before publish]
- H2H: Morocco 2-1 Brazil (friendly, March 2023). Brazil lead overall series 2-1. No competitive meetings.
Head-to-head
Brazil and Morocco have met three times, with Brazil winning twice. Morocco’s most recent win — a 2-1 friendly in March 2023 — is the most relevant data point for current form. This 2026 World Cup Group C fixture is the first competitive encounter between the two nations.
Our prediction
Editorial opinion; no outcome guarantees
Morocco have earned the right to be taken seriously. Their record since 2023, their FIFA ranking, and the quality of players like Hakimi, Amrabat and Diaz mean this is a match Brazil must approach with full tactical focus rather than assumption. The 2023 friendly showed what Morocco can do when they are well-organised and sharp on the counter.
What tips the balance toward Brazil is the sheer volume of match-winning talent available across the pitch. Vinicius Junior alone is capable of producing moments that decide matches at the highest level. With Raphinha, Paqueta and a fit Bruno Guimaraes alongside him, Brazil carry an attacking threat that Morocco — even with Amrabat in dominant form — will struggle to fully suppress.
The key for Brazil is defensive discipline. Morocco’s counter-attacking game, led by Hakimi’s explosive runs and Diaz’s creativity, can hurt any side that leaves space. If Brazil maintain their defensive shape and use their attacking quality at the right moments, they have enough to take all three points. A narrow victory, similar in margin to their H2H history, is the most likely outcome.
Our prediction: Brazil to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 01.00 14/06/26 UTC on 14/06/26 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
1. Open the Brazil vs Morocco event page (link above).
2. Choose your market — Single Bet, Multi-Bet, or Live Bet once the match starts.
3. Enter your stake and place your bet.
FAQ about Brazil vs Morocco
What time does Brazil vs Morocco kick off?
Kick-off is at 23:00 ET on Saturday, 12 June 2026 (04:00 UTC Sunday), at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Has Brazil ever lost to Morocco?
Yes — Morocco beat Brazil 2-1 in a March 2023 friendly. That is the only occasion Brazil have lost to Morocco in three meetings. Brazil lead the overall series 2-1.
Who are Brazil’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United) and goalkeeper Alisson Becker are central to Brazil’s squad. Right-back Wesley is ruled out through injury.