Five-time world champions Brazil begin campaign as Morocco test awaits.

Five-time world champions Brazil take on Africa Cup of Nations champions Morocco in an opening Group C match, hoping to start off with a win. Brazil vs. Morocco kicks off at 23:00 [GMT+1] on Saturday, June 13, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Five-time world champions Brazil arrive with high expectations and the ambition of ending a 24-year wait for World Cup glory as they face AFCON champions Morocco in this Group C fixture. Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have become a more balanced side, combining their traditional attacking flair with improved defensive stability. They have won three of their last six matches and 50% of their previous 12 overall. During that period, they have averaged 1.33 goals scored and just 0.83 conceded per game. Equally important is their ability to control matches through possession, averaging over 61% of the ball. Ancelotti's side are unlikely to engage in a frantic contest and will instead look to dictate the tempo through patient build-up play and intelligent movement. Defensively, Brazil have been difficult to beat, avoiding defeat in 80% of their last 15 matches. With experienced figures such as Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães expected to marshal the defence, much can be expected from the star-studded squad. The attacking threat remains significant with Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, Barcelona’s Raphinha and Manchester United’s Cunha poised to form an attacking trio behind Brentford’s Igor Thiago in a 4—2—3—1 formation. Neymar remains in doubt for Brazil’s opening game.

Yet Morocco are unlikely to be intimidated. The Morocco national football team have established themselves as one of the most resilient teams in international football. Since their historic run to the semi-finals in the 2022 World Cup, they have continued to demonstrate remarkable consistency. The statistics are striking. Morocco have lost just one of their last 30 matches and are currently unbeaten in 21 consecutive games. Over their last 12 fixtures, they have won seven while conceding only 0.25 goals per match. Morocco's success is not built solely on defensive organisation. They have recorded 15 victories by two or more goals in their last 30 matches, proving they possess genuine attacking threat when opportunities arise. Their compact structure, disciplined midfield, and dangerous counterattacks make them particularly effective against possession-dominant teams. Given Brazil's superior quality on paper and Morocco's outstanding defensive record, this has all the ingredients of a closely contested encounter. Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi is expected at the attacking end of Morocco’s 4—2—3—1 setup. Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, Girona’s Azzedine Ounahi and Abde Ezzalzouli of Betis could form an attacking trio behind Kaabi.