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Casablanca — Brazil will be without Neymar when they face Morocco in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that the veteran forward is not yet ready to return from a calf injury and will miss the Group C clash against the Atlas Lions.
“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti told reporters. “The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week. When we call up Neymar, we call him not only for his technical quality, which is indisputable, but also for his experience and the example he can set for the young players in this group.”
The 34-year-old Santos forward has not played for Brazil since 2023 because of a series of injury setbacks. Despite that, Ancelotti included him in the World Cup squad ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison.
Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 79 goals in 128 appearances, surpassing Pelé’s record of 77. The tournament marks his fourth World Cup after appearances in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
Morocco ready for the challenge
Morocco head into the match carrying high expectations after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar four years ago.
The Atlas Lions completed their final training session on Friday at Pingry School in New Jersey, where coach Mohamed Ouahbi and his staff focused on tactical organization, pressing, and building attacks from deep positions.
Morocco will be without injured duo Abde Ezzalzouli and Nayef Aguerd, with Marouane Saadane and Amine Sebbar called up as replacements.
Despite those absences, Ouahbi insisted his side would stay faithful to its style of play.
“It’s clear that the atmosphere is positive. We are very confident. We trust in the physical condition of the players, in what we have put in place, and in the principles and values we have instilled,” he said, according to CAF.
“We won’t change our principles much. We’ve shown good things, and we’ll keep showing them by staying true to our principles.”
Captain Achraf Hakimi also expressed confidence ahead of the encounter and acknowledged the challenge posed by Brazil’s attacking talent, including Vinicius Junior.
“I think everyone knows the Brazilian national team, we know Vinicius’ qualities. I’ve already played against him many times, and he’s a great player,” Hakimi said.
“To defend against Vinicius and the other Brazilian players, who are all top-level, you have to defend as a team, with clear ideas.”
Read also: England Reports Theft of Equipment Ahead of World Cup Opener Against Croatia
According to Opta Analyst, Brazil enter the match as favorites with a 57.7% chance of victory. Morocco have been given an 18.8% chance of winning, while the probability of a draw stands at 23.5%.
The statistics provider also gives Brazil a 65.85% chance of finishing top of Group C, compared to Morocco’s 23.14%.
Hakimi, however, said the Atlas Lions are focused only on making a strong start.
“We are completely focused on the first match, on tomorrow. We want to start in the best possible way.”
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