Morocco and Brazil played out a 1–1 draw in a tightly contested Group C encounter at the 2026 World Cup, with both sides showing moments of quality at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Ismael Saibari gave Morocco the lead before Vinícius Júnior restored parity for Brazil, as a lively crowd watched an intense battle between the two teams.
Morocco’s performance reflected their continued rise in international football since their impressive semi-final run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Atlas Lions have also remained competitive in major tournaments, reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil, where they lost to Senegal but were later controversially recognised in a CAF ruling.
The team’s momentum has endured despite a coaching change, with Mohamed Ouahbi—formerly in charge of Morocco’s U-20 side that won the 2025 World Cup—taking over the senior role after Walid Regragui’s departure.
Ouahbi had insisted his players would stick to their approach regardless of Brazil’s reputation, and Morocco impressed early on, controlling much of the opening stages despite the presence of Brazilian legends such as Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Kaká in the stands.
Their dominance paid off in the 21st minute when Brahim Díaz delivered a precise through ball that split Brazil’s defence, allowing Saibari to chip the ball over Alisson Becker and into the net.
Brazil, however, responded in style in the 32nd minute when Vinícius Júnior combined with Bruno Guimarães on the edge of the box before curling a fine effort past Yassine Bounou to level the score.
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Elsewhere in Group C, Scotland recorded a narrow 1–0 win over Haiti at the Boston Stadium.
John McGinn scored the only goal in the 27th minute after his shot took a deflection that wrong-footed Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide.
Haiti pushed hard for an equaliser late on, with Frantzdy Pierrot coming close in the 85th minute, but Scotland held firm to secure a valuable win—reportedly their first World Cup victory since 1990.
The result leaves Scotland top of Group C on three points, while Brazil and Morocco sit level on one point each after their opening fixture.