Brazil v Morocco LIVE: Brazil pushing for lead after stunning Vinicius Jr equaliser at World Cup

Brazil begin their bid for a sixth World Cup crown against Morocco, in an intriguing Group C clash that comes before Scotland face Haiti later in Boston.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are among several highly fancied for the sprawling tournament, which takes place across the USA, Canada and Mexico, but Morocco quickly proved why they are a team to be wary of, as Ismael Saibari gave the underdogs the lead on 21 minutes.

Brazil were looking disjointed, but a trademark finish from Vini Jr drew them level not long thereafter, ensuring it was 1-1 by half-time.

The winger is a key player for the Selecao, who were hit by a slew of injuries before the tournament, with the likes of Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Estevao ruled out, while Brazil are also without Neymar for this game after their all-time top scorer suffered an injury set-back.

Meanwhile, Morocco – who were controversially awarded the Afcon title off the pitch this year after farcical scenes against Senegal – are aiming to replicate their surprise semi-final run from the 2022 World Cup, or better it.

Follow live updates from Brazil v Morocco below

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Brazil v Morocco LIVE: Latest World Cup updates

• 63' OUCH! Fabinho forced to leave pitch after sustaining bloody mouth
• 45+2' SAVE! Paqueta scissor kick forces decent stop out of Morocco keeper Bounou
• 32' GOAL! Vini Jr's fierce finish brings Brazil level after disjointed start to game (BRA 1-1 MOR)
• 21' GOAL! Saibari lifts ball over Alisson to finish off rapid counter attack (BRA 0-1 MOR)
• KICK-OFF! Brazil face Morocco in World Cup | Live on BBC One
• Two sides expected to battle for top spot in Group C, which also features Scotland and Haiti

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:33 , Alan Smith

67’ - Time for the not naming the sponsor hydration break.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:32 , Alan Smith

66’ - Brazil are beginning to purr. Raphinha bursts down the left and sends in a threatening cross. Henrique then fires another ball in from the opposite flank. Bono remains quiet in Morocco’s goal but all the play is the Afcon champions’ half.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:29 , Alan Smith

64’ - Fabinho has taken a knock to the mouth and has a bit of blood to clean up. That means he will be off the pitch for a minute.

Morocco are introducing Talbi and El Mourabet for El Khannouss and Ounahi, whose impressive first halves were dimmed a bit after the break.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:27 , Alan Smith

61’ - Bouaddi, who has been exceptional, earns a frustrated kick out from Vinicius Jr.

And that is time for Paqueta and Thiago to make way for Brazil, replaced by Cunha and Henrique. That means Ancelotti has only one change left to make.

Thiago has not been effective. He missed one good chance early on but been quiet aside from that.

Henrique’s arrival sees Raphinha move centrally into the role vacated by Paqueta.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:25 , Alan Smith

59’ - Brazil’s possession share continues its upward trajectory. But Morocco are canny operators and have sat off a little more, picking the right moments to push forward.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:23 , Alan Smith

57’ - El Aynaoui dawdles a little on the ball in his own box and Thiago clatters him, conceding a foul.

The camera pans to yet more needless celeb shots in the crowd. Presumably viewers in the host country are into such sightings.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:21 , Alan Smith

55’ - Mazraoui nips the ball away from Raphinha and charges down the left but Brazil are just a bit more snappy in winning the ball back now. The lethargy has disappeared. Seconds later Paqueta cleverly wins a foul from Bilal.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:17 , Alan Smith

52’ - A decent reaction from Bono as Brazil take a quick throw that catches the Morocco defence out. There certainly appears a bit more purpose to Brazil’s play in the early knockings of this period.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:14 , Alan Smith

49’ - Ouch. Bruno plants his studs on Hakimi’s right ankle. It’s a free kick and the Brazil players is very, very fortunate not to be booked. That is a bad tackle.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:13 , Alan Smith

47’ - Brazil win a corner. But it’s not taken immediately owing to some dragging in the box. When it is delivered, a Morocco player (we can’t see exactly who because the box is crowded) puts it out for another.

That one is too deep and Vini Jr is robbed of the ball in a wide area, allowing Morocco to move forward.

Restarted! Brazil 1-1 Morocco

00:10 , Alan Smith

And we are back underway in New Jersey

Double Brazil change

00:10 , Alan Smith

Ancelotti is not messing about.

Fabinho and Danilo, two former Premier League stars, are on. Casemiro and Ibanez are off - both of whom were booked and had stinkers.

A penny for the thoughts of Manchester United fans watching Casemiro there and wondering why the midfielder they have just signed in his stead remains on the bench.

00:08 , Alan Smith

The teams are back out.

Brazil must improve, must they not?

Real deal

00:06 , Alan Smith

79 - El @realmadrid (79) es el club cuyos jugadores han marcado más goles en la historia de la @fifaworldcup_es junto al @FCBayern (también 79). Clásico. pic.twitter.com/31KqDxS3Nm

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 13, 2026

An interval stat you never knew you needed

23:58 , Alan Smith

BRA 🇧🇷 1-1 🇲🇦 MAR (40') - Vini Jr. 🇧🇷 scores. 6th goal by a Real Madrid player for Brazil at the World Cup. THREE European clubs do better:

Barcelona - 20
Inter Milan - 15
PSG - 9
REAL MADRID - 6

— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) June 13, 2026

Half-time! Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:54 , Alan Smith

The whistle goes. Vinicius is still complaining to the referee, even appearing to signal for a card - which I thought was a yellow offence - as they head down the tunnel.

Back in a moment for more of this belter.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:53 , Alan Smith

45+4’ - Vinicius wants a free kick after Hakimi clatters into him. The Morocco man wins the ball but his foot is also high. Nothing is given.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:52 , Alan Smith

45+2’ - Paqueta, who has been anonymous for long spells, attempts an acrobatic finish that is not too far from coming off - Bono makes a good save. From the corner Raphinha swings it in, Marquinhos wants another after a deflection in the box, but it will be a goal kick.

The perimeter of the pitch here seems overly tight and a struggle for players taking corner kicks.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:50 , Alan Smith

45’ - There will be four minutes added on.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:48 , Alan Smith

44’ - Ibanez’s afternoon continues to be a struggle. Now he is booked for a cynical check on Diaz as Morocco sought to counter.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:45 , Alan Smith

40’ - Another slight -relative - lull as the camera pans to Zohran Mamdani, the New York mayor, sitting in the posh seats wearing some sort of retro kit that wasn’t immediately obvious. And, no, it was not an Arsenal strip.

Vini's rocket

23:43 , Jack Rathborn in New Jersey

Vinicius Jr with a rocket to bail out a woeful Brazil so far. Bruno Guimaraes poked the ball into the space, the Real Madrid star checked his run, but once he was able to front up El Aynaoui, cutting inside, there was only one outcome. Bono stood no chance and an outpouring of relief here for the sea of yellow, as much as delight.

When Brazil are purring, you would expect Vinicius Jr to be integral, but with the chips down, that is a crucial moment for him, lifting his team and banishing the growing anxiety at this premature stage of the tournament. You could feel the tension inside the press box, with the Brazilian media unable, or unwilling, to hide their emotion at that equaliser, with roars heard both in the stands and here.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:42 , Alan Smith

37’ - Casemiro, who has really strauggled, is the first name in the book for a lunge on El Aynaoui. He was fortunate not to see yellow earlier on for a foul on Diaz.

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:41 , Alan Smith

36’ - Even factoring in Brazil’s weaknesses and a lack of intensity in the centre, it’s hard to overstate how much higher the technical level of this match has been to anything that has preceded it.

But now how do Morocco respond to being pulled back?

Brazil 1-1 Morocco

23:38 , Alan Smith

33’ - That is magnificent. Bruno feeds Vinicius down the left. The Real Madrid star turns El Aynaoui inside out and unleashes a ferocious drive across the face of goal and into the far corner. What a hit and what a vital moment for Brazil, who had been utterly terrible.

GOAL! Brazil 1-1 Morocco (Vinicius, 32)

23:36 , Alan Smith

And from nothing Brazil’s top man levels with a stunner.

Brazil 0-1 Morocco

23:35 , Alan Smith

31’ - Hakimi has a go from range again. It’s high and wide but Brazil presently appear to be a rabble.

During the break in play Tom Brady and, I presume, his daughter are shown doing some complex handshake. Fair enough.

Brazil 0-1 Morocco

23:34 , Alan Smith

30’ - Saibari and Diaz produce a swift one-two on the left and the former, full of confidence after his goal, has a shot blocked.

That leads to howls of derision from the Brazil fans that are immediately audible on TV.

Brazil 0-1 Morocco

23:32 , Alan Smith

27’ - Hakimi waltzes forward and scuffs a shot wide. It’s another good chance for Morocco who are back to completely bossing the play.

Brazil 0-1 Morocco

23:31 , Alex Pattle

'Desperate need to reset'

23:31 , Jack Rathborn in New Jersey

The most needed hydration break of the World Cup so far? Brazil desperately need a reset and get one after being punished by another slick Morocco move. Brahim Diaz exposed that wooden Brazilian midfield and got Gabriel Magalhaes twisting and turning as Saibari raced free and calmly lifted the ball into the back of the net. Ancelotti with a glare, Alisson barking at his teammates, Brazil are being thoroughly outplayed in their World Cup opener.

Brazil 0-1 Morocco

23:30 , Alan Smith

25’ - Replays of the goal do not paint Brazil’s defence in a good light. For two of the best centre-backs in European club football, the lack of communication and space permitted is, well, diabolical.

But we should not tale any credit from Morocco, who have been class so far.

The game restarts. Will the break prompt a shift in momentum?

Brazil 0-1 Morocco

23:27 , Alan Smith

23’ - That is a fantastic goal. Saibari’s finish, a right-footed lob, is taken beautifully. He gets in behind Gabriel so easily following a through ball from Brahim Diaz. Saibari could have rounded Alisson, who rushed off his line, but instead calmly looped it over the Brazil goalkeeper and into the empty net.

Now it’s time for the hydration break.

GOAL! Brazil 0-1 Morocco (Saibari, 21)

23:25 , Alan Smith

It’s so simple and the African side are deservedly ahead.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:24 , Alan Smith

19’ - Raphinha provides Vini Jr with a delicious through ball but Hakimi recovers well to intercept, conceding a corner but with a degree of relief.

When it is taken, by Bruno, it is headed clear to Vini Jr on the edge of the box. He feeds Paqueta, whose shot is blocked down.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:22 , Alan Smith

18’ - Brazil, suddenly, are enjoying a decent spell of possession. Morocco are sitting off momentarily. It’s been good stuff, the highest technical level we have seen so far at this tournament, but neither goalkeeper has broken sweat under the searing sun.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:20 , Alan Smith

16’ - The pace has settled a little now, which will help Brazil because their midfield appears physically incapable of matching the early intensity displayed by their opponents.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:18 , Alan Smith

13’ - Vini gets on the ball for the first time and, after squeezing past Hakimi, he hangs in a cross that Thiago tries to meet but misjudges slightly.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:16 , Alan Smith

11’ - Paqueta is dispossessed too easily and El Aynaoui charges forward. From the next phase they win the ball back easily again and Morocco fans are audibly “oleing” as they pop the ball around. Brazil fans begin to jeer - their team are way of it.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:14 , Alan Smith

9’ - Another Morocco attack full of menace but it ends with Hakimi barging into Gabriel, who goes down in familiar style when winning a free kick.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:13 , Jack Rathborn in New Jersey

Brazil’s glaring weakness appears to be full-backs that would not lace the boots of legends past and Roger Ibanez is getting an intense examination early doors at Met Life. The crowd are wincing at every twist and turn from El Khannouss and then Mazraoui surges down the left on the overlap, leaving the Brazilian sprawling. The cut back bobbles, but El Aynaoui had to do better. An early concern for Brazil, this, with Morocco bold on the ball.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:12 , Alan Smith

7’ - Morocco are dominating now. Hakimi darts a low cross into the area and is disgusted that no team-mate is following up as it goes out for a goal kick.

Early stages but Brazil’s front three have been anonymous.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:11 , Alan Smith

6’ - And there’s the first chance. Mazraoui flies past Ibanez down Morocco’s left, the ball is worked in to El Aynaoui but Bruno makes a decent block.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:09 , Alan Smith

5’ - A nice glimpse of flare from Paqueta as he beats Mazraoui before running into subsequent trouble. He then lunges to try and win the ball back but makes no contact and escapes without being penalised.

Morocco, so far, have looked a bit more composed on the ball.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:08 , Alan Smith

3’ - Now on the opposite side Ibanez clips Bilal’s ankles on the left wing, allowing the former Leicester forward to swing in a free-kick.

It is headed backwards by Paqueta before Igor Thiago clear.

Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:06 , Alan Smith

2’ - Santos, presumed as a weak link for Brazil, fouls Diaz inside two minutes.

Kick-off! Brazil 0-0 Morocco

23:04 , Alan Smith

1’ - Morocco kick-off and look to put it straight into touch - a now familiar beginning.

Legends remembered

23:03 , Jack Rathborn in New Jersey

The Brazilians are out in force and the banners behind the goal have five legends.

Neymar Jr's mere selection appeared to send shivers down Vini Jr and Raphina as the next Brazilian superstars in line with an opportunity at immortality.

But the current squad glance to their right and gaze upwards at five banners with the faces of Didi, Garrincha, Pele, Romario and Ronaldo. The shine might have faded after 24 years without a world crown, but their presence at a World Cup remains indelible.

Anthems belted out, handshakes underway

23:01 , Alan Smith

Carlo Ancelotti appears to be mumbling the Brazil anthem as it’s played. There is a huge number of Brazil fans in attendance and, based on the initial footage shown on our screens, the only noticeably empty spaces in the stadium are along a strip of corporate boxes.

The Moroccan anthem is also sung with gusto and this new method of having entire squads gathering around the centre circle seems like a nice addition.

They all now bump fists and shake hands while one of the official anthems blares out.

Almost time

22:56 , Alan Smith

Here come the teams, making a long L-shaped walk from the tunnel to the centre circle ahead of the anthems.

'A proper World Cup contest'

22:55 , Jack Rathborn in New Jersey

It's hard to arch our necks up to the top tier of Met Life from our position in the media box, but the stadium is packed out lower down. A trend in this World Cup, the empty seats are limited to the middle strip, perhaps some fans grabbing a last-minute refreshment.

But a sea of yellow to our left and a slim strip of red to our right. This has the feel of a proper World Cup contest between two teams bringing incredible value both on the pitch and in the stands. So many questions surrounding Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil, we're about to discover quite how ready they are for 'Rumo ao hexa' (Chasing the sixth).

Hakimi: We're Brazilians of Africa

22:53 , Alan Smith

The Morocco star says pre-match: “We know their quality and the players they have, but we also have quality. People call us 'The Brazilians of Africa' because we also have talented players.”

Nearly man's chance World Cup glory

22:52 , Alan Smith

Ancelotti has signed a contract extension to keep him with Brazil until 2030, and past his 70th birthday. See his deal through and he will have another World Cup. The nearly man of 1994 may yet get his hands on the trophy.

Ancelotti's personal landmark

22:42 , Alan Smith

"It's a ​new experience, but ⁠obviously a special one," Ancelotti said in his presser of coaching at the World Cup for a first time.

"It means having the responsibility and the honour of representing the home of football, the most successful national team in the world. Two things: responsibility and honour."

"I want to savour ​this moment with joy and happiness because it is a wonderful moment in my story. I feel great... I hope ​I can do the work needed to help this team succeed."

Ancelotti on fear

22:33 , Alan Smith

"Fear is an important part of life," the Brazil head coach said in his pre-match press conference. "If you're ​not afraid and you're caught off guard, you might see a lion and think it's a cat.

"Fear can ​save your life; it's always good to be alert and focused so that your team plays a great game and isn't caught off guard.

"I'm an optimist by nature and ​I'm very confident. We're well prepared to play a great game tomorrow and have a great World Cup

"We need ‌to ⁠put in a complete performance in every respect. In modern football, there are no minnows; Morocco is one of the best teams in Africa."

Qatar claim late point vs Switzerland

22:27 , Alan Smith

In Saturday’s earlier game Qatar scored a 94th-minute equaliser through Boualem Khoukhi to deflate a Switzerland team that should have been out of sight. The Swiss led through Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty but failed to put away a number of chances to extend their lead.

That leaves Group B evenly poised since the other match, between Canada and Bosnia, finished 1-1 on Friday evening.

Brazil make themselves heard

22:18 , Jack Rathborn in New Jersey

That's the first crackle of noise in MetLife from the Brazilians. And it's Alisson Becker who is showered with love from that wide, arching bank behind the goal. Headband fastened, those long, luscious locks bouncing as he skips towards his goal. The Liverpool goalkeeper might complete what most would consider the best goalkeeper and centre-back combination? With Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos in front. Meanwhile, Morocco are yet to venture out, with their half entirely deserted so far with 45 minutes until kick-off.

Ancelotti's magic ingredient

22:14 , Richard Jolly

He has managed many of their most gifted players of the 21st century: Kaka, Cafu, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo with AC Milan, David Luiz and Ramires with Chelsea, Thiago Silva for Paris Saint-Germain, Marcelo, Casemiro, Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior for Real Madrid. Wherever Ancelotti has been, from Parma to Everton, there have been Brazilians.

Perhaps it meant that, long before many another realised it, Ancelotti was the best-qualified non-Brazilian to manage Brazil. He entered the job with a body of work to support his case. Vinicius came second in the Ballon d’Or due to his form under Ancelotti, rather than for his country. Rodrygo, too, had delivered more for the Italian than his compatriots, though injury means he will miss the World Cup. Perhaps it was unsurprising that one of Ancelotti’s first decisions was to bring Casemiro out of international exile.

Everything worth knowing about Group C

22:08 , Alan Smith

World Cup 2026 – Group C guide: Scotland’s return sparks Brazil and Morocco nostalgia

The party remains outside

22:02 , Jack Rathborn in New Jersey

Met Life Stadium is still largely empty inside, that's because the party is outside with a sea of red and yellow shirts.

Fans are soaking in the atmosphere despite the sweltering conditions. And the Brazil fans offer any football fan a heavy dose of nostalgia with the eclectic mix of Selecao shirts from generations past.

This writer is especially impressed with the bright blue away shirt from 1994; a pristine white collar and the silhouette of three badges emblazoned across the front. The Morocco fans are bringing more noise though, and congragting in a thin, but condensed cluster behind one goal.

Few surprises

21:55 , Alan Smith

So Ancelotti, who is short of impressive options at full-back, goes with Ibanez, from Al Ahli, on the right and Douglas Santos, who plays for Zenit, on the left. It looks like Paqueta will play in the No. 10 with Casemiro and Bruno sitting behind him.

For Morocco there are no major surprises to the XI, with former West Ham defender Aguerd unable to feature owing to a groin injury.

Confirmed teams

21:47 , Alan Smith

Brazil: Alisson; Ibanez, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Santos; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Paqueta; Vinicius, Thiago, Raphinha.

Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Ounahi; Saibari.

Morocco squad in full

21:40 , Alan Smith

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Berkane), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Asfar)

Defenders: Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Issa Diop (Fulham), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV)

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Ismael Saibari (PSV)

Forwards: Ayoube Amaimouni (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland)

Brazil squad in full

21:35 , Alan Smith

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma)

Midfielders: ​Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas ‌Paqueta (Flamengo)

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), ​Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

What to expect from Morocco

21:29 , Alan Smith

The Atlas Lions made history at the 2022 World Cup by becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals. Their build-up to 2026 has been rather more acrimonious, as a result of the events of the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. Walid Regragui, the coach from 2022, departed just three months before the start of this World Cup, stating that Morocco needed a “fresh face, a different energy”. Morocco, after all, did not win the Afcon final, with Senegal stripped of their title and the result overturned following their walk-off.

On the pitch, Morocco were not particularly inspiring during Afcon and relied on a couple of, eh, questionable refereeing decisions to even reach their own final, which rather played into Senegal’s incredulity at how the closing stages of the showpiece played out. But the key to their unexpected success in Qatar was their defensive resilience against stronger opponents, which contrasted to their status of pre-tournament favourites at Afcon. Many expect them to be awkward opponents once again.

What to expect from Brazil

21:20 , Alan Smith

It’s been a long old wait for Brazil since they last won the World Cup in 2002. The Selecao have not really come close in that time, either. And given their 24-year drought equals the gap between 1970 and 1994, Brazil would be entering new territory should they fail to go all the way this summer: it would be their longest spell without winning a World Cup since the football-obsessed nation earned the first of their record five stars in 1958.

So something radical has occurred. Brazil will be led by their first ever foreign manager in Carlo Ancelotti, one of European football’s most decorated coaches and a five-time Champions League winning manager with Real Madrid and AC Milan. The sight of Ancelotti’s arching eyebrow presiding over the eternal psychodrama of Brazil bidding to win the World Cup will be fascinating, and the shock recall of Neymar has thrown another firework into the mix.

Neymar, now 34, has not played for Brazil since October 2023. He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer but has struggled for form and fitness for a number of years. So his surprise inclusion in Ancelotti’s squad, over someone like Joao Pedro, rather encapsulates the question at the heart of the Selecao: do they really have the strength and depth in midfield and defence to go all the way, or will they represent style and image over substance once again?

Brazil vs Morocco prediction: 2026 World Cup betting tips & odds

21:10 , Luke Baker

Five- time champions Brazil are currently joint fifth favourites to win the 2026 World Cup at odds of 10/1 along with Argentina and behind Portugal, England, France and Spain.

They are seeking their first title since 2002, making this their longest drought without the title since they went 24 years from 1970 to 1994 - a run that ended in the US when they beat Italy on penalties.

You can get 150/1 on Morocco to win the tournament for the first time in the latest World Cup odds, but you would back them to get out of Group C, in second place at odds of 10/11.

Check out our tips for this evening’s clash:

Brazil vs Morocco prediction: 2026 World Cup betting tips & odds

New York/New Jersey: MetLife Stadium

21:00 , Luke Baker

MetLife Stadium (branded New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup) hosts this evening’s match - here’s what you need to know:

Capacity: 82,500

Matches: Five group, one last 32, one last 16, final

Info: All eyes will be on East Rutherford for the final on 19 July. Before that, the stadium will host Brazil’s opener against Morocco on 13 June and England’s final group game against Panama on 27 June.

Brazil contend with memories of 1994 as new generation hope for their own Romario

20:45 , Luke Baker

As the 2026 World Cup gets underway, an unfamiliar situation is unfolding in the Brazil camp. The five-time winners, so often among the favourites going into the summer, are something of an unknown entity.

The tournament’s most successful team have come to define the World Cup across their five victorious campaigns, from Pele’s final brace and Carlos Alberto’s goal against Italy to Ronaldo’s redemption in 2002.

And 32 years after winning the World Cup in Pasadena thanks to another iconic moment, the next generation of the Selecao arrives in North America hoping to lift the famous trophy for a second time on US soil.

However, they risk falling to an unprecedented run of bad form. Brazil have never featured in six World Cups in a row without winning one, but this tournament could well put the Selecao on the wrong side of history.

Chris Wilson digs into the shadow of 1994 looming over Brazil:

Brazil contend with memories of 1994 as new generation hope for their own Romario

20:30 , Jack Rathborn at MetLife Stadium

The Independent’s Sports Editor Jack Rathborn is at MetLife Stadium for us this evening and will be providing regular updates

“Having got to Met Life Stadium four hours before kick-off, the buses are rammed with fans, with Moroccan red outnumbering Brazilian yellow for now.

“Most fans are navigating the chaos of the New York-New Jersey transport by hopping on New Jersey buses through to the American Dream mall...

“Carlo Ancelotti will certainly hope he experiences the American Dream as Brazil push for their sixth world title. It’s a scorcher, too, with 30c temperatures already, making those mandatory hydration breaks sensible, perhaps, for the first time in this tournament.”

How ‘brand Brazil’ lost its shine as World Cup’s defining team

20:15 , Luke Baker

Bring the adverts up on YouTube now and what will strike first is how dated it looks. The production, the concept: it all belongs to a bygone era. From the airport to the dressing room, the Three Rs are very much not in 4k.

For fans of a specific age, Brazil and Nike’s series of promos still stir up reminders of a golden era, supported by the idea - so eloquently expressed in a piece by the author Paul Howard last week - of everyone’s favourite World Cup being the one closest to when they are 10 years old.

For the Selecao, however, that last globally successful period of joga bonito is a peak that feels more and more difficult to reascend with each passing tournament. Before Carlo Ancelotti’s team open Group C against Morocco at 11pm BST on Saturday they are at the foot of the climb with an ageing core that struggled through qualification, no longer considered certainties to reach the latter stages.

Read Alan Smith diving into the decline of Brazil:

How ‘brand Brazil’ lost its shine as World Cup’s defining team

Neymar injury

20:08 , Luke Baker

Neymar sustained a grade two calf injury just three weeks out from the tournament.

The 34-year-old is all but certain to miss this evening’s match against Morocco. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti is optimistic that the Brazilian icon could be in contention to face Haiti next Friday.

“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “The expectation is that he can rejoin the group [training] next week.”

Early Morocco team news

20:05 , Luke Baker

For Morocco, Marwane Saadane and Amine Sbai replaced Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli shortly before the tournament, with Anass Salah-Eddine, Chemsdine Talbi and Noussair Mazraoui all doubts for this first game.

Morocco XI: Bounou, Riad, Diop, Hakimi, Mazraoui, Saibari, Ounahi, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Ezzalzouli, Diaz

Early Brazil team news

20:02 , Luke Baker

Midfielder Ederson was a late replacement for the injured Wesley for Brazil, while veteran Neymar, who came into camp with a muscular issue, is not expected to be fit.

Brazil possible XI: Alisson, Wesley, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Roger Ibanez, Casemiro, Paqueta, Guimaraes, Igor Thiago, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr

How to watch Brazil v Morocco

19:59 , Luke Baker

Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco, with kick-off at 6pm ET (local time), 3pm PT and 11pm BST at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Viewers in the UK can watch the game for free on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 10.30pm BST, or stream it live on BBC iPlayer.

Viewers in the US can watch the game on Fox Sports and Fox One.

Brazil v Morocco

19:48 , Luke Baker

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Brazil v Morocco.

In what is one of the must fascinating match-ups of the entire group stage, the five-time World Cup winners take on the 2022 surprise semi-finalist, who many are tipping as dark horses this time around.

This is a Group C clash, so in Scotland’s group, although the Scots’ attention may be elsewhere this evening...