Morocco and Brazil have named their starting lineups for their opening Group C match at the 2026 World Cup, with Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos leading two sides expected to challenge deep into the tournament.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has selected a strong side built around the core that helped establish the Atlas Lions among world football’s most competitive teams. Yassine Bounou starts in goal behind a back four of Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad and Noussair Mazraoui.
Neil El Aynaoui and Ayyoub Bouaddi will operate in midfield, while Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannous and Ismael Saibari provide the attacking threat.
Morocco enter the tournament with confidence after reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, the furthest any African nation has progressed in the competition.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has handed responsibility to a squad without Neymar, who misses the match because of a grade two calf injury. The forward, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, failed to recover in time for the opening fixture.
Brazil will line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Alisson Becker starts in goal behind a defence featuring Roger Ibanez, Marquinhos, Gabriel and Douglas Santos.
Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta form the midfield trio. Raphinha and Vinicius Junior will attack from the wings, while Igor Thiago gets the nod through the centre ahead of Matheus Cunha and Endrick.
The match pits two technically strong teams against each other. Morocco will rely on organisation, quick transitions and the creativity of Diaz and Ounahi. Brazil will look to dominate possession through Guimaraes and Paqueta while using the pace of Vinicius and Raphinha in wide areas.
Starting XIs
Morocco: Bounou (GK); Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Saibari, El Khannous, Ounahi, Brahim Diaz.
Brazil: Alisson (GK);; Ibanez, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Junior.
