The Brazilian team debuts in the 2026 World Cup this Saturday (13) against Morocco, at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford (USA). At 25 years old, Neil El Aynaoui, a midfielder from Morocco, emerges as one of the fundamental pieces in the Atlas Lions’ midfield. In a good phase, the player must act as a midfielder or central midfielder and is responsible for providing balance, recovering balls and distributing them to the attackers, especially against the strong Brazilian midfield.
Born with Moroccan roots, El Aynaoui has established himself in Europe and arrives at the World Cup as one of the most consistent names on the semi-finalist team in 2022. Known for his physical resistance, anticipation, precise passes and transition ability, he is a key player in containing the talent of Vinicius Júnior, Raphinha and company.
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.
Neil El Aynaoui as pillar in Ouahbi’s strategy
Morocco’s likely lineup includes Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riyadh and Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui and Ounahi; with Brahim Díaz, Saibari and Rahimi more advanced. In the middle, El Aynaoui acts as an anchor, breaking Brazil’s moves, protecting the defense and initiating counterattacks, essential to challenge Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães.
On the Brazilian side, Carlo Ancelotti should choose Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Alex Sandro; Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Lucas Paquetá, Vinícius Júnior and Matheus Cunha. The Seleção needs to control the environment to limit El Aynaoui’s influence.
Neil El Aynaoui looking for a leading role in the World Cup
With solid performances for the national team, El Aynaoui is experiencing a moment of maturity in his career and sees the 2026 World Cup as a great opportunity to stand out at a global level. Morocco is betting on its tactical balance to surprise Brazil and start well in Group C, which also includes Haiti and Scotland. A good performance can pave the way for a historic campaign for the Atlas Lions.
The Moroccan fans, present in good numbers at MetLife, expect a great contribution from El Aynaoui. He symbolizes the tactical discipline and quality of a generation that elevated Moroccan football.
