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Carlo Ancelotti will experience his first taste of World Cup football as a manager when Brazil take on Morocco in Group C.

The 2026 World Cup’s first major clash features the five-time world champions going up against the team that finished fourth in 2022, and this encounter promises to be a tight contest that could swing either way.

The main question is whether Ancelotti’s Brazil can overcome a disappointing qualification campaign or if the AFCON champions Morocco can pull off a big upset.

The last time these two sides met in the group stages of a World Cup, Brazil went on to reach the final – and interestingly, Scotland were in that group as well, just as they are this year.

Nearly thirty years later, the landscape of football has changed significantly. Brazil are no longer the dominant force they once were, when legends like Cafu, Roberto Carlos, and Ronaldo led the team. Meanwhile, Morocco have emerged as a powerhouse in African football after becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago.

Brazil will be without Neymar, who misses the match due to injury. The spotlight now falls on Vinicius Jr and Raphinha, who will be expected to deliver at the international level after a challenging qualification campaign for the Selecao.

Morocco, on the other hand, appear to be even stronger than the side that impressed in Qatar. Young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who switched allegiance from France’s youth system, has added flair and energy to their engine room, while Bilal El Khannous offers creativity and composure as a promising playmaker.

This fixture promises to be tighter than many might expect, with the duel between Vinicius Jr and Achraf Hakimi sure to be one of the most thrilling match-ups on the pitch.

However, the key battle could be in midfield. Casemiro has enjoyed an excellent season and, alongside Bruno Guimaraes, will provide strength and tenacity in the centre for Brazil.

Achraf Hakimi’s influence on the right flank could be crucial for Morocco, especially in transitioning from defence to attack.

Considering that Brazil and Morocco are likely the two strongest teams in their group, both sides might settle for a draw, especially with Haiti being the weakest opponent they will face.

A stalemate here could still set both teams up well for qualification, as they will back themselves to secure big wins in their remaining fixtures. Expect a cautious but high-quality encounter, with neither side taking too many risks in pursuit of victory.