Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on Saturday. Vinicius Junior's 32nd-minute equaliser cancelled out Ismael Saibari's brilliant opener, but the result was flattering for the Seleção. Morocco dissected Brazil's defence with unsettling ease in the first half, exposing positional mistakes and a midfield that could not hold shape. It took a moment of individual brilliance from Vinicius to prevent an opening-night embarrassment.
Why Did Brazil Struggle Against Morocco?
The problems began before Morocco even scored. Ancelotti's decision to field Roger Ibañez at right-back raised immediate questions — the 27-year-old is a centre-back by trade, and Morocco exploited that quickly. Noussair Mazraoui attacked down that flank almost at will, and the early pressure was relentless. In midfield, Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães were overrun. The star of Morocco's engine room was 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, only on his fourth senior cap yet utterly unfazed by the occasion. The teenager, who recently chose Morocco over France, controlled tempo and pressed with purpose. He looked more settled than players twice his age.
The goal, when it came in the 21st minute, was a thing of beauty. Brahim Díaz picked the ball up inside his own half and played a pass that split Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos. Saibari took one touch and lobbed Alisson with composure rarely seen from a player not yet 30. It was deserved and ruthless. Ibañez and Casemiro both picked up yellow cards before half-time. Ancelotti had seen enough. Both were replaced at the break — Fabinho and Danilo came on, the system tightened, and Brazil finally began to assert themselves. The second half was a different game, with the Seleção pushing Morocco deeper. But the damage from that first 45 minutes told a story Ancelotti cannot ignore.
How Good Can Vinicius Junior Be at the World Cup?
Brazil's entire tournament outlook rests on one question: can Vinicius finally deliver on the international stage the way he does for Real Madrid? Saturday offered a tentative but important answer. When he picked up a pass from Guimarães on the left, created half a yard of space, and drove a right-footed shot past Yassine Bounou from a tight angle, the 80,663 fans inside MetLife exhaled as one. It was only his 10th goal in 50 appearances for the Seleção — a record that has been used as ammunition against him for years. With Neymar sidelined by a calf injury despite his surprise recall to the squad, there is nobody else to carry this team. No safety net. Ancelotti knows it.
Brazil did improve after the interval. Matheus Cunha added energy from the bench. Substitute Luis Henrique had the best chance to win it in stoppage time, only for Bounou to make a sharp save. Ancelotti, sweating through a three-piece suit in 88-degree New Jersey heat, could not hide his frustration on the touchline. Morocco, coached by Mohamed Ouahbi — who took over from Walid Regragui in March after guiding the Under-20 side to a World Cup — were content to hold on once they made their late substitutions. They look organised, physically sharp, and tactically smart. The Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals in 2022. Nobody should be writing them off again.
A point each. Brazil face Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday. Morocco take on Scotland in Foxborough. On the evidence of Saturday, the Seleção have work to do before this group gets any tougher.
