Morocco begins World Cup ambition on Saturday, when the Atlas Lions face five-time champions Brazil in a heavyweight matchup that might set the tone for the entire FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament.
Four years after making history as the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, Morocco returns to football’s grandest platform with fresh confidence and the dreams of a continent anxious for another long run.
The Group C game will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a kickoff time of 22:00 GMT.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will oversee a match between Africa’s top performers from Qatar 2022 and the most successful nation in World Cup history.
With ten African nations competing in a World Cup for the first time, Morocco arrives in the United States keen to demonstrate that their spectacular performance in Qatar was not an exceptional occurrence.
Despite the absence of important players Abde Ezzalzouli and Nayef Aguerd due to injury ahead of the tournament opener, the squad’s confidence has remained high.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi believes his team is ready for the challenge.
A statement on the CAF website on Saturday titled “Morocco aim to roar again as Atlas Lions face Brazil in World Cup blockbuster” disclosed this.
“We are very happy to be here.
“We feel that the World Cup is really heating up, so we can’t wait to answer your questions,” said Ouahbi.
The coach described the atmosphere at the camp as encouraging as Morocco finished their last preparations in New Jersey.
He stated, “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.”
Morocco’s penultimate training session took place on Friday at Pingry School, where Ouahbi and his team concentrated on tactical organization, pressing patterns, and deep attacks.
Marouane Saâdane and Amine Sebbar have been added to the team to replace the injured Ezzalzouli and Aguerd.
Despite the defeats, Ouahbi assured Morocco would stick to the method that has earned it success.
“We won’t change our principles much. We’ve shown good things and we’ll keep showing them by staying true to our principles,” the coach boasted.
He added: “Just because we’re playing our first World Cup match, it doesn’t mean we’ll change everything.”
Attention will be focused on captain Achraf Hakimi, who is slated to face Brazilian sensation Vinicius Junior in one of the match’s most exciting confrontations.
“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.
“To defend against Vinicius and the other Brazilian players, who are all top-level, you have to defend as a team, with clear ideas,” Hakimi said.
While respecting Brazil’s legacy, Hakimi stated that Morocco have every right to trust in themselves.
Hakimi continued, “We know Brazil, its history, and the quality of its players. But we also have quality. In Africa, they call us the ‘Brazilians of Africa.’ We are talented players and we have our strengths.
“I believe we are ready to do something important, with confidence and with the support of all Moroccans.”
Brazil returns to North America as tournament favorites, with a squad stocked with elite talent from Europe’s top leagues.
Nonetheless, Morocco’s recent performance against football’s traditional powers provides ample reason for optimism.
The Atlas Lions upset Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar, and they now have another chance to face one of the game’s global giants.
Morocco’s goal is clear: start the tournament strong and create momentum from there.
“We are completely focused on the first match, on tomorrow. We want to start in the best possible way.
“Then we will think match by match, trying to go as far as possible and do better than at the last World Cup,” Hakimi said.
