Brazil and Morocco kick off Group C at World Cup 2026: starting lineups and atmosphere. The key Group C match of World Cup 2026 between Brazil and Morocco has kicked off in New Jersey. The game took place at the packed MetLife Stadium. Neymar was absent from Brazil’s lineup.
The first match of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — Brazil faced Morocco. The event drew great excitement: the stands were packed, and a festive football atmosphere surrounded the arena. For both teams, this opening match was a crucial step in the battle to advance from the group.
The starting lineups for both national teams were announced in advance. Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for a classic striker — Igor Thiago led the attack instead of the anticipated Endrick or Cunha. In defense, Douglas Santos and Roger Ibañez started in place of the usual Danilo and Alex Sandro. Casemiro and Guimarães featured in midfield, while Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior played on the wings. Alisson was in goal. For Morocco, the starters were Bono, Achraf, Riyad, Diop, Mazraoui, Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, Ounahi, Brahim, Saibari, and El Hannous.
Before the match, attention was drawn to Neymar’s absence — the Santos player was not even included in the squad due to injury. Nevertheless, he was present at the stadium and supported his team from the stands. In the Brazilian dressing room, a special gold chevron was prepared — an emblem worn only by world champions. The atmosphere was fueled not only by the fans but also by celebrities: David Beckham greeted Neymar on the pitch, joined by American rappers and stars from the entertainment industry.
The Moroccan team took to the field without Abde, who was sidelined due to injury, and had to reorganize their attack. Coach Wahbi entrusted Saibari with the position of central striker, while Brahim, Unahi, and El Hannous played in midfield. Achraf, who plays for PSG, noted that containing Vinicius would require teamwork, and said he was ready for the challenge.
According to russpain.com, Brazilian fans created a home-game atmosphere at MetLife Stadium — thousands of supporters gathered around the arena, and the team was actively warming up on the sidelines. At the same time, the Moroccans arrived organized and focused, despite personnel losses.
Ancelotti admitted that making his World Cup debut with Brazil is a special chapter in his career, and emphasized the importance of responsibility and emotion before the kickoff. He also noted that big matches always come with nerves, which help maintain focus.
In Group C, Brazil and Morocco are considered favorites, with Scotland and Haiti as their opponents. A win in the opening match could significantly affect the outcome in the group and the teams' psychological state. As russpain.com notes, such encounters at the start of a tournament often become decisive for the entire course of the championship.
The match took place at MetLife Stadium — the venue that will also host the final of the 2026 World Cup. For the tournament, natural grass meeting FIFA standards was installed here. The stadium seats 82,000 spectators and has already hosted Copa America and Super Bowl finals. In the history of encounters between Brazil and Morocco, the teams have met only twice in the past 28 years: Brazil won at the 1998 World Cup, while Morocco prevailed in a friendly match in 2023.
Regarding the 2026 World Cup broadcasts, it is worth noting that in Spain, some matches, including national team games, are broadcast free of charge in 4K via TDT, while paid services offer lower quality — more details can be found in the article about RTVE and DAZN broadcasts.
For reference: Morocco reached the semifinals of the previous World Cup, and Brazil is aiming for a sixth title. Both teams feature players from top European clubs. Group C is expected to see intense competition for first place, which could make the path to the playoffs easier. In the coming days, the teams will continue to fight for a spot in the knockout stage, while fans await new surprises from the favorites.
