Morocco kicked off their 2026 World Cup journey on Saturday and picked up right where they left off four years ago as they jumped out to an early lead on five-time champions Brazil, but couldn’t quite finish the job and settle for a 1-1 draw.
MORE — Daily schedule for 2026 World Cup
It was 1-0 to Morocco after Ismael Saibari split Brazil’s defense and chipped Alisson, set up by a brilliant ball from Brahim Diaz, in the 21st minute. Vinicius Junior hit back barely 10 minutes later, though, as he weaved his way past two defenders and rifled one inside the far post from close range. Morocco out-shot Brazil 12-6 in the first half, slightly shellshocked the way they were so clearly second-best at times.
Up next, Brazil will play Haiti and Morocco, full of confidence after reaching the semifinals in 2022 and winning this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (asterisk), will face Scotland in Group C next week.
Brazil vs Morocco final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Ismael Saibari (21'), Vinicius Junior (32')
Possession: 54-46
Shots: 6-12
On target: 2-2
xG: 0.85-1.22
After scoring 22 goals in his first Premier League season for Brentford, you probably would have backed Brentford striker Igor Thiago to head home the opening goal from five yards out after Vinicius picked him out with a cross.
The crowd looks to be about a 70-30 split, with the yellow of Brazil vastly outweighing the red of Morocco.
Bonou - Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui - El Ayanoui, Bouaddi, Ounahi - Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari
Alisson - Ibañez, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos - Casemiro, Guimaraes, Paqueta - Raphinha, Vinicius, Thiago
Hello, Brazil!
The Selecao have arrived at MetLife Stadium with Neymar seen signing autographs for fans outside.
Brazil’s players generally look very relaxed. They’ve been in great form under Ancelotti over the last 12 months but this game against Morocco is going to be a big test.
Team news coming up...
Seleção Brasileira chegou no MetLife Stadium pro jogo contra o Marrocos! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/6O10BTNv6X
— Central do Braga (@CentralDoBrega) June 13, 2026
The atmosphere is building nicely around and inside MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as fans are arriving at the stadium and the party vibes are strong.
Here is a look at the latest scene in NJ, while our colleague at NBC News Tim Rohan details how easy it was to get from Manhattan to MetLife.
Atmosphere building at the MetLife Stadium ahead of Morocco v Brazil. Paul Pogba was just mobbed by fans as he went into the VVIP section pic.twitter.com/1W0sA3c0RX
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) June 13, 2026
Armaron su propia fanfest 😅🇧🇷
— Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) June 13, 2026
▶️ A menos de cuatro horas del partido ante Marruecos, los hinchas brasileños coparon un mall frente al MetLife Stadium 🥳
📹 Diego Macias pic.twitter.com/ZEAmP0Il19
I’m taking NJ Transit to get to MetLife for Brazil-Morocco. Here’s my experience @NBCNews:
— Tim Rohan (@TimRohan) June 13, 2026
—1 pm: buy a ticket via NJ Transit app
—1:05: line up with fans in fenced area outside Penn Station and MSG
—1:25ish: we’re funneled through security, ticket scan, etc. (thread 1/5)
Os torcedores brasileiros estão chegando ao estádio em Nova Jersey para Brasil x Marrocos. As camisas amarelas são as mais vistas, mas as bandeiras dos clubes também são vistas.
— ge (@geglobo) June 13, 2026
📸GE#ge2026 #futebol #cobertura #selecaobrasileira #brasil #marrocos pic.twitter.com/2XcOgDKRGr
Made it to New York/New Jersey Stadium for Brazil-Morocco. Should be a fascinating evening in this World Cup C opener. pic.twitter.com/GTdFWXR5eY
— Matthew Mangam (@MatthewMangam) June 13, 2026
O vestiário da maior Seleção do mundo! 🇧🇷💛#batenopeito
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) June 13, 2026
📸 Rafael Ribeiro/CBF pic.twitter.com/2vmYNSkzjW
It’s asking a lot of Morocco to better, or even repeat, what they did in 2022 as they reached the semifinals of the World Cup.
But they believe they can.
Morocco’s squad has a clear superstar in Achraf Hakimi but more importantly they have a spirit and togetherness unmatched by most teams on the international stage.
The reigning African Champions, albeit in controversial fashion after their AFCON final on home soil against Senegal descended into chaos earlier this year, have been hit by a few key injury problems ahead of this tournament with star winger Abde Ezzalzouli out and key center back Nayef Aguerd also missing.
But Noussair Mazraoui, Yassine Bounou and Sofyan Amrabat add so much experienced in the defensive areas of the pitch, and the duo of Hakimi and Brahim Diaz link up so well down the right and Morocco love to cut crosses back to onrushing midfielders and forwards to finish.
Morocco have a really tough start in Group C but they know if they can grab a draw against Brazil, then take care of business against Scotland Haiti, they are set up to make another deep run at the World Cup.
From struggling to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and suffering a humiliating defeat to bitter rivals Argentina in World Cup qualifying, 12 months on things are very different for Brazil as they prepare to open their World Cup campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti has used all of his experience as Brazil have calmed things down and gone back to basics. He’s given them a better defensive balance and shape but has still retained the attacking threat on the counter.
Veteran Casemiro, coming off a wonderful season for Manchester United, is key in midfield, while the experience of Alisson and Marquinhos is also so important defensively.
We can then expect Brazil to spring rapid counters with Vinicius Junior. Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Endrick and Co. ready to hurt opponents quickly and clinically.
Ancelotti and this Brazil squad are a perfect match and it feels like the legendary coach has everybody pulling in the same direction as they prepare to face Morocco.
Brazil are in the Big Apple, folks, and the scenes are majestic
This is when you know the 2026 World Cup has finally arrived in New York City.
Our Spanish language partners at Telemundo have shared this video of Brazilian fans in Times Square, with plenty of other videos coming in of Brazil’s supporters taking over New York over the last 24 hours ahead of the game against Morocco.
The samba drums, famous dancing, chanting and extremely energetic vibes are everywhere. What a sight!
⚽ ¡BRASIL TOMA NUEVA YORK! 🍎
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 13, 2026
🔥 Miles de aficionados han tomado el corazón de Times Square para llenarlo de pura samba, cánticos y muchísima alegría. 🇧🇷
🤔 ¿Qué otra afición del mundo crees que podría superar tremenda fiesta? 👀
📺 No te pierdas el partido Brasil 🇧🇷 vs… pic.twitter.com/3oubXnr7G9
Os torcedores brasileiros estão comandando a festa na Time Square 🇧🇷🎶#CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/qnsdKBjYPu
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) June 13, 2026
Brazil fans at Times Square pic.twitter.com/oPXiHLKBOQ
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) June 12, 2026
Times Square has become the heart of Brazil 🇧🇷
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2026
(via IG/leomacae89) pic.twitter.com/nfUyNDjffd
Here’s how to watch Brazil against Morocco live, as one of the best games of the group stage promises to be a beauty of a game in New York.
How to watch Brazil vs Morocco live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 6pm ET Saturday (June 13)
Venue: MetLife Stadium — New Jersey/New York
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
