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2026 FIFA World Cup
6JUL

Morocco peg back Brazil at MetLife

3 min read
09:51UTC

Ismael Saibari put Morocco ahead before Vinicius Junior levelled as a Neymar-less Brazil drew 1-1 at MetLife on 13 June, leaving Group C open after one round.

SportDeveloping
Key takeaway

Brazil dropped two points to a debut-coached Morocco, leaving Group C open after one round.

Brazil left MetLife Stadium with one point on Saturday 13 June, held 1-1 by a Morocco side that dominated long spells before a crowd of 80,663. Ismael Saibari scooped Morocco ahead on 21 minutes from a Brahim Diaz pass; Vinicius Junior answered with a curling finish into the top corner shortly after the half-hour 1. Morocco were managed by Mohamed Ouahbi in his first match as senior international coach, the debut previewed before the tournament .

Brazil arrived without Neymar, ruled out with a calf strain and targeting the Haiti fixture on 19 June . His absence showed in their attacking structure, and Carlo Ancelotti said afterwards that his side were nervous . Morocco, the 2022 semi-finalists, pressed with cohesion and held their shape until Vinicius Junior's reply steadied the favourites.

With Scotland already on three points after beating Haiti, Group C sits open after one round. Brazil have the depth to recover, but conceding the initiative to a tactically organised Morocco side in the opener is a data point Ancelotti cannot wave away before he faces Haiti and Scotland.

Deep Analysis

In plain English

Brazil are one of the most famous football nations in the world and entered the 2026 World Cup as favourites. They played Morocco on 13 June, but their biggest star Neymar was sitting out with a calf injury. Morocco scored first and largely controlled the match; Brazil's Vinicius Junior eventually equalised. Morocco's coach was making his very first appearance as a senior national team manager, having only previously coached youth sides. The draw leaves Brazil needing results in their next two matches to be safe.

Deep Analysis
Root Causes

Brazil lost three key squad members to injury before the Morocco match: Rodrygo, Estevao and Eder Militao, who provides the athletic centre-back partnership that anchors Brazil's defensive line. Without Militao, the backline lacks the aerial and recovery pace that Ancelotti normally uses to allow his full-backs to push high.

Morocco's structural advantage on 13 June derives from their 2030 World Cup co-hosting role with Spain and Portugal, which has driven investment in youth structures through the Moroccan Football Federation's Vision 2030 programme.

The programme prioritises dual-national identification: Ouahbi's squad includes players raised in French, Dutch and Belgian football systems (Brahim Diaz at Real Madrid, Saibari at PSV Eindhoven) who combine European technical development with Moroccan tactical identity.

What could happen next?
  • Risk

    Brazil dropping two points to Morocco means their next fixture against Scotland, who lead Group C on three points, functions as a near-elimination pressure match rather than a routine group game.

  • Opportunity

    Ouahbi's Morocco, now proven against Brazil, will attract significant tactical interest from the coaching staff of every remaining Group C opponent.

First Reported In

Update #20 · Balogun brace as USA open at home

ESPN· 14 Jun 2026
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