Brazil open World Cup campaign against Morocco without Neymar
Brazil face Morocco in a Group C World Cup match at MetLife Stadium, with Neymar ruled out and both sides managing injury setbacks.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Brazil begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Morocco on Saturday in one of the early marquee games of the group stage. Al Jazeera reported that the Group C match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kicks off at 6 p.m. local time, or 22:00 GMT.
The fixture pairs the World Cup’s most decorated men’s team with the reigning African champion, and both arrive with questions over fitness and form. Al Jazeera said Brazil are chasing a sixth world title after quarterfinal exits in four of the last five tournaments, while Morocco are trying to build on their 2022 run to the semifinals.
Team news
Brazil will be without Neymar for the opener as he continues to recover from a calf injury, according to Al Jazeera. The report said his return date and condition remain unclear, adding to uncertainty around a player who has come back into the squad after a two-and-a-half-year absence.
Al Jazeera also reported that Rodrygo, Estevao, Eder Militao and Wesley are absent from Brazil’s squad because of injuries. Carlo Ancelotti still has Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes and Matheus Cunha available as Brazil start a demanding group schedule.
Morocco have injury problems of their own. Al Jazeera said Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli were removed from the squad after injuries in Morocco’s final friendly, with Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane called up as replacements.
Match context
Brazil’s buildup has included a coaching change, injuries and an uneven qualifying campaign, according to Al Jazeera. Goalkeeper Alisson said doubts around the team could be useful, pointing to previous Brazil sides that were not clear favorites before going on to win the World Cup.
Morocco reached the last four in Qatar in 2022 after eliminating Spain and Portugal before losing to France, Al Jazeera reported. The team later went through changes before this tournament, with long-serving coach Walid Regragui leaving three months before the World Cup and Mohamed Ouahbi taking over after leading Morocco to the under-20 World Cup title in Chile last year.
Al Jazeera said Morocco began 2026 by losing the Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal on home soil, then were later awarded the title after Senegal were punished for walking off the pitch in protest over a penalty.
Form and odds
Al Jazeera listed Brazil’s last five results as three wins, one loss and one draw. Brazil beat Egypt, Panama and Croatia, lost to France and drew with Tunisia.
Morocco’s last five games were two draws and three wins, according to Al Jazeera. The team drew with Norway and Ecuador, beat Panama and Burundi, and defeated Madagascar in June.
Opta Analyst gives Brazil a 57.7% chance of beating Morocco, Al Jazeera reported. Morocco are rated at 18.8% to win, with a 23.5% chance of a draw. Opta also gives Brazil a 65.85% chance of topping Group C, compared with Morocco at 23.14%.
How to watch
Al Jazeera reported that viewers in Brazil can watch on SBT, GETV, Globoplay, sportv, NSPORTS, Caze TV and TV Globo, with kickoff at 7 p.m. in Rio de Janeiro. In Morocco, the match starts at 11 p.m. and will be shown on beIN SPORTS Max 2 and 4.
In the United Kingdom, Al Jazeera said coverage is available on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, ITV and STV. In the United States, viewers can watch on FOX, FOX One, Peacock and Telemundo platforms.
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti and Scotland make up Group C. Al Jazeera reported that the top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance to the round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.