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Brazil faces tough World Cup 2026 test against African champions Morocco

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, is surprisingly ranked outside the top three favorites by specialized sports analysis firms like Opta and Sofascore for the 2026 World Cup.
  • The team's recent performance, including a seventh-place finish in South American qualifiers and a seven-year title drought, raises questions about their current level.
  • Brazil's opening match against Morocco on June 13 presents a significant test, especially given Morocco's strong showing in the previous World Cup and their recent African Cup of Nations title.

Despite its storied history as a five-time World Cup champion, Brazil is notably absent from the top three favorite rankings for the 2026 World Cup, according to specialized sports analytics firms Opta and Sofascore. These platforms place Brazil sixth and fourth, respectively, signaling a potential shift in perceptions of the Seleção's dominance.

The team's current standing contrasts sharply with its historical success. Brazil has not won a major title in seven years, and their last World Cup final appearance was in 2002. Their qualification for the 2026 tournament saw them finish fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, a considerable distance behind the top teams. This performance has led to scrutiny regarding the team's current level of play under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Brazil's opening match on June 13 against Morocco is poised to be a critical early test. Morocco, the revelation of the last World Cup where they reached the semi-finals, and recent champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, presents a formidable opponent. Their strong recent form suggests they could exploit any vulnerabilities in the Brazilian squad.

Concerns also linger over Brazil's traditional strength: the full-back positions. While the current squad features European-based players, they have not achieved the same legendary status as past full-backs like Cafu or Roberto Carlos. Veterans Danilo and Alex Sandro are in the twilight of their careers, with their roles evolving from attacking threats to more involved playmaking deeper on the field. This contrasts with previous World Cup campaigns where attacking full-backs were instrumental in the team's success.

Further complicating matters are fitness concerns surrounding Neymar due to injuries, and Vinícius Jr. is expected to increase his goal-scoring output for the national team. The team's reliance on historical strengths and the need for key players to perform at their peak will be under intense scrutiny as they face their opening challenge.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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