Brazil Face Morocco Without Neymar in 2026 World Cup Group Stage Opener
Brazil open their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C campaign against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday without Neymar Jr., who remains sidelined by a grade-two calf tear. The five-time champions, led by first-ever foreign coach Carlo Ancelotti, face an Atlas Lions side that reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals and won last year's Africa Cup of Nations. The match is considered one of the most anticipated group-stage fixtures of the tournament, with both nations harboring ambitions well beyond the group stage.
Brazil's highly anticipated World Cup opener against Morocco is overshadowed by the confirmed absence of Neymar Jr., who suffered a grade-two calf tear in May and is targeting a possible return for Brazil's second group game against Haiti on June 19. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, the first foreign manager to lead Brazil at a World Cup, said Neymar is 'working very hard to recover' and emphasized the veteran's value to younger squad members even off the pitch. In his absence, Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha are expected to carry Brazil's attacking burden; Vinicius stressed a team-first mentality at a pre-match press conference, saying he is 'not here to be the MVP' but to help Brazil win a sixth title after 24 years without one. 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 and Brahim Diaz as key threats. Brazil are still regarded as favorites for the match, but Morocco's pace, physicality, and discipline make them a credible dark horse for the tournament. Both sides know that a defeat in this opener would bring immediate pressure, with Scotland and Haiti still to come in Group C.
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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