Brazil Face Morocco Without Neymar in 2026 World Cup Group Stage Opener
Brazil will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday without Neymar Jr., who has been ruled out due to a grade-two calf tear suffered in May. The match pits five-time champions Brazil, led by first-ever foreign coach Carlo Ancelotti, against Morocco, who reached the semifinals in 2022 and won the Africa Cup of Nations last year. The fixture is considered one of the most anticipated group-stage clashes of the tournament, with both nations harboring ambitions well beyond the group stage.
Brazil's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Morocco is overshadowed by the confirmed absence of Neymar Jr., who continues to rehabilitate a grade-two calf tear. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, the first foreign manager to lead Brazil at a World Cup, confirmed the injury update and noted that Neymar's earliest possible return could come against Haiti on June 19, though concerns remain about whether he will feature at all in the group stage given his injury history, including a serious ACL and meniscus tear in 2023. In Neymar's absence, the creative burden falls on Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha, with Vinicius publicly emphasizing a team-first mentality and crediting Ancelotti's management style for giving him the freedom to perform. Morocco, no longer considered underdogs, arrive as African champions under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who has added an attacking dimension to the side's traditionally resilient defensive structure, with Achraf Hakimi expected to be a key influence. Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002, and the pressure on Ancelotti's squad is compounded by consecutive quarter-final exits in 2018 and 2022. With Scotland and Haiti also in Group C, both Brazil and Morocco will be eager to secure an early advantage.
What's missing
No information is provided about Morocco's injury or squad availability concerns ahead of the match.
What different sources said
- Times of IndiaCenter
Neymar was ruled out of Brazil’s clash with Morocco after a major injury blow
- The HinduCenter
FIFA World Cup 2026: Stern test for Ancelotti’s Brazil in intriguing clash against Morocco
- NewsweekCenter
Brazil Drops Concerning Neymar News Ahead of World Cup Opener vs Morocco
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Fear can keep Brazil on World Cup red alert, Ancelotti says
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