Morocco begin their World Cup 2026 journey in the most dramatic setting imaginable: a Group C opener against five-time champions Brazil at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — the venue that will host the final on 19 July. Kick-off is at 6 PM ET (22:00 UTC / 01:00 Mecca, Sunday). (IBTimes)
Group C: the toughest pool in the tournament
Morocco share Group C with Brazil, returning-after-28-years Scotland, and Caribbean debutants Haiti. It's arguably the most demanding group in the whole 48-team draw. Opening against Brazil is the maximum-difficulty examination, but it is exactly the kind of test that Morocco's golden generation has repeatedly risen to. (Yahoo Sports)
Morocco under new coach Ouahbi
Mohamed Ouahbi replaced Walid Regragui in March 2026 and steps onto the biggest stage in football for his first senior international appointment. He inherits a squad built around Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Hakim Ziyech, Brahim Díaz and Youssef En-Nesyri, and has largely preserved the defensive solidity Regragui built while adding tactical variety. Morocco completed World Cup qualifying without a single defeat. (Sports Illustrated)
Brazil seeking a sixth title under Ancelotti
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil arrive in the United States looking to end a 24-year title drought — they have not won the World Cup since 2002. Vinícius Júnior leads the attack with explosive pace and dribbling that has tormented elite European defences all season. Pre-match models rate Brazil at roughly 42% probability of winning, Morocco at 31%, and a draw at 27%. (CBS Sports)
The standout duel: Hakimi vs Vinícius
Every analyst agrees: the sub-plot of the match is Achraf Hakimi against Vinícius Júnior. Hakimi is one of the best full-backs in world football — combining world-class defensive discipline with a devastating attacking threat from the right. Vinícius at his best is nearly unstoppable. Their personal battle will likely define the game's outcome. (RotoWire)
What's at stake for Arab football
A Morocco win — or even a hard-fought draw — against Brazil would send a powerful message to the whole tournament. Since the Qatar 2022 semi-final run, Morocco are no longer considered an underdog; they are a genuine World Cup contender. Any positive result here energises all eight Arab nations in the competition and reinforces that the ambition of reaching the late stages is entirely realistic. Stay with Malaab Al-An for full coverage of every moment. (Sports Mole)