Vinicius Juniors mesmerising strike spared Brazil a first defeat in a World Cup opener since 1934 as the record five-time champions earned a point against impressive Morocco in New Jersey.Reigning Eredivisie Player of the Season Ismael Saibari sauntered on to Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diazs through ball and played a delightful first-time chip over Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to give the Atlas Lions a 21st-minute lead, only for Blancos forward Vinicius Junior to find the inspiration Brazil had lacked by shifting inside the box from the left and curling in 11 minutes later. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti sent on Danilo and Fabinho for Roger Ibanez and Casemiro at half-time, removing two players who had been booked.Alisson smartly turned away shots by Neil El Aynaoui and Ayoube Amaimouni in swift succession during 10 minutes of second-half added time, with the only two teams ranked inside FIFAs top 10 to meet each other during the group stage showing how difficult they could prove to beat at a tournament in which both are expected to go far. Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: How Morocco impressed vs BrazilBrazil vs Morocco analysis: Igor Thiago missBrazil, Morocco schedule and fixtures at the World CupWorld Cup 2026: Brazil team vs MoroccoWorld Cup 2026: Morocco full line up vs BrazilWorld Cup 2026: Brazil vs Morocco statsWorld Cup 2026: How Morocco impressed vs BrazilAfrica Cup of Nations holders Morocco reached the semi-finals in 2022 and Mohamed Ouahbi a World Cup debutant as a manager, alongside Ancelotti saw his side produce a performance to suggest they could at least repeat that feat.I like the way they play the game, former Uruguay midfielder and Greece head coach Gus Poyet told BBC Sport.Its not easy to say okay, were playing against Brazil, first game of the World Cup lets have a go from the beginning.It can work against you. They were very brave, very good on the ball and creating chances until they got the goal. They probably, at that time, deserved it.I was surprised by how bad Brazil were technically. They were missing simple passes. In the end, both teams played not to lose and there were hardly any chances in the second half.Brazil vs Morocco analysis: Igor Thiago missBrentfords Igor Thiago was the second-top scorer in last seasons Premier League but the Brazil newcomer miscued a splendid early chance to head in Vinicius Juniors cross.I cant say what I said off-air after his miss, but I would be very disappointed, said Poyet. Myself, at least.Its a perfect cross. He made a good run and the ball was in front of him. It looked like he missed it completely.He will be disappointed with that because that is why hes playing today, to have that presence in the box.Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said Vinicius Juniors movement had allowed him to beat Achraf Hakimi and provide a delivery on a plate for Thiago.Thatd be everything [Thiago] dreamed of before the game, wouldnt it? asked Hart. He just got his feet wrong and didnt quite connect. He probably saw the goal before it happened.Brazil, Morocco schedule and fixtures at the World CupBoth teams are next in action on Thursday. Here are their remaining group stage fixtures, with an asterisk denoting matches starting the previous day in that territory.DateFixtureBST start timeETPTJune 19Scotland vs Morocco23:0018:0015:00June 20Brazil vs Haiti01:3020:30*17:30*June 24Scotland vs Brazil23:0018:0015:00June 24Morocco vs Haiti23:0018:0015:00World Cup 2026: Brazil team vs MoroccoBrazil made two changes from their 2-1 win over Egypt in Cleveland on June 6. Full-back Wesley (adductor) withdrew from the squad earlier in the week and was replaced by Ibanez, with Gabriel also coming in at the back for Leo Pereira, who moved to the bench.Defender Eder Militao (thigh), winger Willian Estevao (hamstring) and forward Rodrygo (knee) missed out on the finals through injury.Wesley was replaced in the squad by Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is poised to join Manchester United.All-time Brazil top scorer Neymar received a surprise call-up after barely featuring at club level over the last three years because of injuries.The Santos striker watched from the bench while continuing his rehabilitation on an injured left calf.Brazil starting XI: Alisson, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Roger Ibanez, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Igor ThiagoBrazil substitutes: Weverton, Ederson, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Bremer, Leo Pereira, Ederson Silva, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, Matheus Cunha, Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, RayanWorld Cup 2026: Morocco full line up vs BrazilMorocco made one alteration from their 1-1 draw with fellow World Cup participants Norway in Harrison the previous Sunday, bringing in Bilal El Khannouss for Abde Ezzalzouli, who is out of the tournament.Defender Nayef Aguerd missed out on the squad with a groin injury and forward Ezzalzouli withdrew after damaging a knee in a collision with teammate Chadi Riad against Norway.Angers forward Amine Sbai and veteran centre-back or midfielder Marwane Saadane, of Saudi side Al-Fateh, replaced the duo.Morocco starting XI: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Brahim DiazMorocco substitutes: Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Marwane Saadane, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Youssef Belammari, Redouane Halhal, Anass Salah Eddine, Sofyan Amrabat, Chemsdine Talbi, Samir El Mourabet, Gessime Yassine, Soufiane Rahimi, Amine Sbai, Ayoub El Kaabi, Ayoube AmaimouniWorld Cup 2026: Brazil vs Morocco statsBrazils 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final is the joint-biggest victory in a World Cup final with Pele scoring one goal and assisting two more along with Brazils 5-2 win against Sweden in 1958 and Frances 3-0 triumph over Brazil in the 1998 finalThe Selecao, Germany, Italy, and Argentina have collectively won 73% of all FIFA World Cup tournaments, claiming 16 of the 22 titlesThey are the only team to have taken part in every single World Cup since its original edition in 1930, with this their 23rd appearanceSince 1982, Brazil have topped their first-round group in every World Cup. They are also unbeaten in their last 20 opening matches at the finals, with 17 wins and three draws since a 3-1 defeat to Spain in 1934Ancelotti is the first non-Brazilian to take charge of Brazil at the finals, although he played for Italy at the 1990 edition, taking part in three matches including the third-place game against England (2-1)That performance in 2022 by Morocco was the highest finish by any African nation in the tournament historyMidfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was France Under-21 captain until the midfielders switch to Morocco was approved in MayReigning African Footballer of the Year Hakimi made more tackles (26) than any other player at the 2022 World Cup and recorded the second-most ground duels won (41)Born in Spain, Brahim Diaz top-scored at this years Africa Cup of Nations with five goals Before that run to the last four, Morocco had won two of their 16 matches at World Cup final tournaments Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Achraf Hakimi Alisson Becker Brazil National Football Team Bruno Guimaraes Casemiro FIFA World Cup Gabriel Magalh�es Gabriel Martinelli Morocco National Football Team Neymar Rodrygo Vinicius Jr Vinicius Junior World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Brazil v Morocco as it happened live: World Cup 2026 commentary, updates, goals and stats as Saibari and Vinicius Junior score in draw Jon Fisher 14th June, 2026 Scotland vs Haiti live: World Cup 2026 confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream and stats Ben Miller 14th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Brilliant Vinicius Junior goal in Brazil vs Morocco after England legend questions unacceptable Gabriel and Marquinhos Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 Neymar: World Cup 2026 playing schedule, fixtures, results, kick off times, confirmed injury news updates, full Brazil squad Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Brazil vs Morocco confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream and stats with Alisson, Gabriel, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha among starters Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Qatar 1-1 Switzerland report, result, goals as Khoukhi header earns historic result and Neville lambasts ridiculous FIFA over VAR Ben Miller 13th June, 2026
