The Brazilian national team begins its journey in the 2026 World Cup this Saturday, June 13th, at 7pm (Brasília time), facing Morocco. The match will take place at MetLife Stadium, located in New Jersey. Although historic clashes between the two teams are scarce, totaling just three duels, the overall balance leans towards the Brazilian side, which has accumulated two victories, including a World Cup triumph. However, the most recent clash between them does not lead to a positive result for the Brazilians.
Remembering the unique history in World Cups: the 1998 duel in France,
The only time Brazil and Morocco faced each other in a World Cup was in 1998, during the edition held in France. In the game valid for the second round of Group A, Brazil beat Morocco 3-0 at the La Beaujoire Stadium, in Nantes, securing its early place in the round of 16. The goals were scored by Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto. In that campaign, the Brazilian team reached the final, but ended up being defeated by the host team. Morocco, on the other hand, was eliminated in the group stage of the competition.
Coach Zagallo selected the Brazilian team with the following formation for the 1998 clash: Taffarel in goal; Cafu, Júnior Baiano, Aldair and Roberto Carlos in defense; César Sampaio (replaced by Doriva), Dunga, Leonardo and Rivaldo (who gave way to Denílson) in midfield; and Ronaldo with Bebeto (leaving for Edmundo) in attack.
Details of recent and previous friendly matches
Before the 1998 World Cup, in 1997, the two teams faced each other in a friendly preparation match, with Brazil emerging victorious 2-0. Since then, the Moroccan football scene has evolved significantly, and the most recent clashes have brought unfavorable results for the Brazilian team.
Morocco was the Brazilian team’s first opponent after their elimination at the World Cup in Qatar. In a friendly match held in Tangier, in March 2023, the Africans won 2-1, demonstrating tactical and technical superiority for most of the match. Sofiane Boufal and Abdelhamid Sabiri were responsible for the Moroccan goals, while Casemiro scored Brazil’s only goal.
Led temporarily by Ramon Menezes, the Brazilian team started that game with Weverton in goal; Emerson Royal, Éder Militão, Ibañez and Alex Telles on the defensive line; Casemiro, Andrey Santos and Lucas Paquetá in midfield; and Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior and Rony in attack. During the second stage, Antony, Raphael Veiga, Vitor Roque, Yuri Alberto and Arthur, who at the time played as a winger for Bayer Leverkusen, were called to enter the field.
At that time, both teams were going through different phases in their football trajectories. Morocco was coming off a memorable campaign in the Qatar Cup, where it led its group — which included Croatia, Belgium and Canada —, eliminated Spain in the round of 16 in a penalty shootout and beat Portugal in the quarterfinals. This feat made them the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
After suffering defeats to France in the semi-final and to Croatia in the dispute for third place, the Moroccan team ended its participation in the tournament by achieving an unprecedented fourth place, the best performance by an African nation in a World Cup. On the other hand, Brazil was still dealing with the frustration of being eliminated in the quarter-finals, also on penalties, by Croatia, an outcome that resulted in the departure of then coach Tite.
Absences confirmed in the Moroccan team for the opening match
The Moroccan team also faces challenges with absences for the World Cup. After a friendly against Norway, the team had two players recently cut from the World Cup: defender Nayef Aguerd, who plays for Olympique Marseille, and striker Abde Ezzalzouli, from Betis.
On the other hand, Manchester United player Noussair Mazraoui had a shoulder problem, but so far remains with the Moroccan delegation in the United States, awaiting confirmation on his availability.