The Brazilian team debuts in the 2026 World Cup this Saturday (13) against Morocco, at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford (USA). At 34 years old, Casemiro, from Manchester United, assumes a central role in midfield as the main person responsible for protecting the defense. The midfielder arrives in good physical shape and is enjoying his third participation in the tournament, bringing leadership to the team without Neymar, with a calf injury.
Born in São José dos Campos (SP), Casemiro built a successful career at Real Madrid, where he won multiple Champions Leagues, before moving to England. Known for his strength in marking, anticipation and ability to provide tactical balance, he is the pillar that allows Bruno Guimarães to advance and the attackers to create.
Where to watch Brazil vs Morocco live
The game, in the first round of Group C and scheduled for 7pm (Brasília time), will be broadcast on open TV by Globo and SBT. On subscription and pay-per-view channels, SporTV and NSports show. In streaming, CazéTV on YouTube, ge TV and Globoplay also show live.
Casemiro as a pillar in Ancelotti’s strategy
The likely starting lineup has Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Alex Sandro; Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Lucas Paquetá, Vinícius Júnior and Matheus Cunha. In the middle, Casemiro acts as an anchor, breaking Morocco’s plays and initiating transitions, essential to control the pace against a team that relies on quick counterattacks with Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Rahimi.
On the Moroccan side, coach Mohamed Ouahbi chooses Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riyadh and Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui and Ounahi; Brahim Díaz, Saibari and Rahimi. The semi-finalist team in 2022 prioritizes defensive compactness, which requires a high volume of tackles from the Brazilian.
Casemiro looking for sixth in third World Cup
With experience from 2018 and 2022, Casemiro praises the unity of the group in transition and sees 2026 as a great chance to lift the trophy. He projects an intelligent match, with a focus on recovering the ball, and believes that a victory in the debut will ease the way in Group C, which still includes Haiti and Scotland, strengthening the campaign for a sixth world title.
The Brazilian fans, who fill the MetLife Stadium, trust in the number 5’s race and tactical intelligence to dominate the midfield. Casemiro symbolizes experience, determination and stability in a squad that mixes veterans and young promises.
