Morocco Gears Up for World Cup Clash Against Brazil

Morocco is poised to launch its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a challenging match against Brazil, led by Carlo Ancelotti, on Saturday at the New Jersey Stadium. The Atlas Lions enter this prestigious tournament with confidence, having recently clinched the Africa Cup of Nations title after a victory over Senegal in the finals. Their successful run continues, as they have gone unbeaten in their last five outings across various competitions.

Since their continental triumph, Morocco has notched a 2-1 win against Paraguay and showcased their dominance with a 5-0 victory over Burundi and a 4-0 win against Madagascar. They also managed to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Norway in their latest friendly.

However, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi faces challenges as he prepares for the tournament, dealing with several late injuries to key players. Forward Abde Ezzalzouli has been ruled out due to a knee injury sustained during the friendly against Norway. Similarly, defender Nayef Aguerd is sidelined as he has not recovered from a groin issue. To fill these gaps, Morocco has called up Marwane Saadane and Amine Sbaï.

Defensively, concerns linger regarding Noussair Mazraoui, who remains doubtful after suffering a shoulder injury in the same match. On a positive note, captain Achraf Hakimi has overcome a thigh injury and is expected to feature prominently in the lineup. His leadership, along with the contributions of players like Brahim Díaz and Sofyan Amrabat, will be vital as Morocco prepares to face a formidable Brazilian team.

The anticipated match is set to kick off at 11 PM BST on Saturday, June 13. Fans in the UK can catch the action live on BBC One.