The third day of the 2026 World Cup highlights Brazil’s debut against Morocco at 7pm, in addition to three other clashes that will take place on Saturday. Under the command of Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilian team faces absences such as Neymar, injured, while seeking to maintain the positive record of 1998 against the Moroccans. The round also marks the historic return of Haiti and Scotland to the tournament, in addition to duels between Qatar and Switzerland, and Türkiye against Australia in the early hours of the morning.
The third day of the 2026 World Cup will be full of attractions. Four games take place on the first Saturday of the tournament, including Brazil’s long-awaited debut against Morocco. The day will also feature the other game in group C, between Haiti and Scotland, in addition to the debuts of Qatar, Switzerland, Australia and Türkiye.
Check times and where to watch this Saturday’s games:
4pm – Qatar x Switzerland
Where to watch: Cazé TV
7pm – Brazil x Morocco
Where to watch: TV Globo, sportv, ge tv, Globoplay, SBT, NSports and Cazé TV
10pm – Haiti x Scotland
Where to watch: Cazé TV
01h* – Australia x Türkiye
Where to watch: TV Globo, sportv, ge tv, Globoplay and Cazé TV
*Saturday to Sunday
Canarinho debut
After almost four years of waiting, Brazil will make its World Cup debut in search of the sixth star. The only five-time world champion team, Canarinho is competing in its 23rd edition of the tournament with a mix of holdovers from the last World Cup, such as Alisson, Marquinhos, Casemiro, Vini Jr. and Raphinha, and young talents, such as Endrick, Igor Thiago and Rayan.
Under the command of multi-champion Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil will face Morocco, in Group C. Sensation of the 2022 World Cup, the African team continues to count on prominent names in world football. Hakimi, PSG’s right-back, leads the list, which also includes goalkeeper Bounou, from Al Hilal, and midfielder Brahim Díaz, from Real Madrid.
Both teams arrive for their debut with injury problems. On the Brazilian side, full-back Wesley was cut and replaced by Ederson. Meanwhile, Neymar continues to recover from a grade 2 tear in his calf and is expected to be absent. Morocco lost defender Nayef Aguerd and striker Abde Ezzalzouli, both cut this week.
Brazil and Morocco have faced each other only once in World Cups. It was in the group stage of the 1998 edition, when the Brazilian team won 3-0, with goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto. In 2026, Brazil arrives for the clash as sixth in the FIFA rankings, while Morocco is in seventh place. Interestingly, this duel of positions glued together in the ranking reflects the current balance, contrasting with the technical abyss that existed in the confrontation 28 years ago in France.
Keeping an eye on rivals
The other match in group C will also be played this Saturday. Scotland and Haiti face each other in a duel that marks the return of both teams to football’s biggest tournament after long periods of absence. The Europeans have not played a match in the tournament since 1998, while the Caribbeans return to the World Cup after 52 years.
Scotland reached the World Cup after winning group C of the European Qualifiers, beating Denmark, Greece and Belarus. Ché Adams, Ryan Christie and Scott McTominay were the campaign’s top scorers. McTominay, however, was doubtful for his debut after a stomach problem during the week. Haiti, led by Duckens Nazon, left Honduras and Costa Rica behind to qualify.
Opening the day
Saturday’s schedule begins with Qatar and Switzerland, in a match valid for Group B. The confrontation will be unprecedented in World Cups. Led by Akram Afif, Qatar secured a place in the World Cup for the first time through the qualifiers. In 2022, the team participated as the host country and lost the three games it played. On the other hand, Switzerland arrives for its sixth consecutive World Cup and is trying to overcome the barrier of the round of 16, a stage in which it has fallen in the last three editions.
Round closing
Closing the program, in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, Australia and Turkey face each other in Group D. The Turkish team returns to compete in a World Cup after 24 years and arrives supported by a talented generation led by Arda Guler, Yildiz and Hakan Çalhanoglu. Favorites in the clash, Turkey face the Socceroos, who are participating in their sixth consecutive World Cup.
