Brazil vs Morocco: Kickoff time and channels for the 2026 World Cup Group Stage; TODAY, Saturday, June 13

Brazil begins its quest to end a 25-year World Cup drought on Saturday, facing Morocco in the opening match of Group C at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This encounter features two top-10 FIFA ranked teams, with Brazil holding the sixth spot and Morocco seventh.

The five-time champions will be led by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is making his World Cup debut at 67. However, Brazil's arrival in North America is marked by questions surrounding their inconsistent performance, defensive frailties, and significant player absences. The team is already without Rodrygo and Estêvão, and star player Neymar is sidelined with a calf injury sustained in May.

Without their iconic number 10 and a top offensive winger, Brazil will confront a Morocco squad considered a "golden generation," led by PSG's Achraf Hakimi, who reached the semifinals in Qatar 2022. Despite the pessimism surrounding their chances of lifting the trophy, Ancelotti and his players express confidence in their ability to compete against any opponent.

Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson acknowledged the doubts surrounding the team, noting that similar situations have preceded past World Cup victories in 1994 and 2002. The pressure to secure a win in their first game is immense, with even Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva humorously stating he would settle for a "half-zero" victory.