Five-time champions Brazil found themselves in a spot of bother against Morocco in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup after the North African side kept them under immense pressure throughout the match. Morocco took a 1-0 lead early in the game after Ismael Saibari ran through to score with a clever scoop in the 21st minute of the Group C opener on Saturday night.

Vinicius Junior levelled the score with a brilliant equaliser for Brazil, earning one crucial point for his team, which is chasing a sixth World Cup title this year.

Brazil’s last World Cup triumph came in 2002. If they are to make an impact or be considered real contenders, coach Carlo Ancelotti has a lot of work to do.

Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Kaka, all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad, were among those in attendance at the New York-New Jersey Stadium.

Brazil appointed the massively popular and successful Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti to end the country’s 24-year World Cup drought.

He became the first-ever foreign coach to lead Brazil at a FIFA World Cup tournament. A fifth-place finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti. However, the Italian insists Brazil possesses a squad capable of competing with anyone in the expanded 48-team tournament.

The Brazilian side comes with a massive reputation in international competitions, even at 50 per cent form. However, the way Morocco played against them was a truly impressive performance.

While the men in yellow have every right to feel disappointed at dropping points against Morocco, yesterday’s performance should boost their confidence going forward in the competition.