Group C Opener: Brazil-Morocco Face Off at MetLife

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C opening match, Brazil and Morocco face each other at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The match will start at 01:00 Turkey time on Sunday night, June 14 (local time Saturday, June 13 at 18:00 ET). Other times: BST 23:00, CEST 00:00. The stadium's 82,500 capacity is completely sold out. The fact that the match is being played between world sixth-ranked Brazil and eighth-ranked Morocco in the FIFA rankings reveals one of the highest profiles of the opening matches.

Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti's management is preparing for the World Cup with the first foreign head coach in the team's history. The 67-year-old Italian wants to carry the Seleção, who have not seen a championship since 2002, to their sixth cup after a 24-year gap. The Yellow-Greens drew an in-form image in their warm-up matches by beating Panama 6-2 and Egypt 2-1. However, the team's biggest concern is Neymar Jr.'s injury; the 34-year-old star will not be able to play in the opening match due to the calf injury he sustained in the Santos match on May 17. Ancelotti had announced that Neymar is expected to rejoin the team next week. Matheus Cunha is being evaluated as the priority option to take his place in the forward line.

Morocco under Mohamed Ouahbi's management experienced a major head coach change before the World Cup. Walid Regragui resigned about 100 days before the start of the tournament, and former U-23 coach Ouahbi was brought in. The Atlas Lions took three wins and two draws in five matches under the new head coach; most recently they drew 1-1 with Norway. Morocco, the surprise semi-finalist of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, wants to raise the bar of participation from the African continent in the tournament. On the injury side, defender Nayef Aguerd (pubalgia) is out; Issa Diop will take his place. Noussair Mazraoui's shoulder injury situation will be followed until the last moment.

The last match between the two teams was the friendly played in March 2023; Morocco beat Brazil 2-1 to take a historic victory. This situation adds a different psychological dimension to the match. Brazil's World Cup opening match history is impressive: since 1930, they have only been defeated once in opening matches.

Brazil Probable XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Alisson
Defence: Danilo - Marquinhos - Gabriel - Alex Sandro
Midfield: Casemiro - Bruno Guimaraes
Attack line: Raphinha - Lucas Paqueta - Vinicius Jr.
Forward: Matheus Cunha

Morocco Probable XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
Defence: Achraf Hakimi - Issa Diop - Chadi Riad - Noussair Mazraoui
Midfield: Sofyan Amrabat - Nabil El Aynaoui
Attack line: Brahim Diaz - Azzedine Ounahi - Bilal El Khannouss
Forward: Ilias Saibari

Image: si.com