Brazil’s first opponent in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in June and July in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Morocco finished the African Cup of Nations (CAN) with runner-up.
A somewhat frustrating result, as the Arab African country played at home and lost the troubled final against Senegal (Black Africa), after wasting, in the final play of the second half, a penalty ridiculously taken by Brahim Díaz, Real Madrid striker, with a dig that ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Mendy.
The painful defeat, coming with a goal in extra time, does not, however, take away Morocco’s protagonism in the upcoming World Cup and serves as a way for the Brazilian team to reinforce its attention to the strengths of its rival on June 13, at the MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford (USA).
The Moroccans, who finished the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar, in fourth place, played a CAN with very high competence in defense.
There were only two goals conceded in seven matches by the excellent goalkeeper Bono, and only one, the Senegalese, with the ball rolling. In the second game in the group stage, in the draw with Mali (1-1), the Malian goal came from a penalty.
In addition to this draw, on the way to the decision, five matches, always without conceding goals: Comoros (2-0), Zambia (3-0), Tanzania (1-0), Cameroon (2-0), Nigeria (0-0, after and 4-2 in the penalty shootout).
The level of the opponents was spectacular, goal scoring machines? No, however Cameroon and Nigeria are respectable teams, with constant presence in World Cups.
And the Moroccan defensive solidity did not appear now. In the 23 matches played in 2025, previously in the CAN, Morocco only conceded goals in 7 (30%).
A respectable brand compared to more popular selections. In their last 23 appearances, Brazil conceded goals in 14 (61%); Spain, in 12 (52%); France, in 11 (48%).
Argentina’s rearguard, current world champion, went unscathed in 15 of the 23 most recent games – close to Morocco, but less proficient in this comparison.
In addition to a defense that was extremely difficult to overcome, Morocco reinforced the aura of being a team with tactical discipline, collectively adjusted and possessing an excellent defense-attack transition, transforming rivals’ mistakes into offensive opportunities.
The Moroccans don’t score goals often. There were nine in the seven CAN matches, an average of just over one goal per game. Against Brazil, they will not want to keep possession of the ball and create, but rather counterattack with speed, to catch the defense off guard, and precision.
They are good at that, especially with PSG full-back and captain Hakimi, a surprise element in the attack of the team wearing red.
To avoid getting into trouble in their World Cup debut, Ancelotti’s team, which will be given the initiative, needs to be extremely careful not to miss passes in the offensive midfield (hello, Casemiro, hello, Bruno Guimarães), or it could be the victim of a deadly counterattack, and redouble its attention on the left defensive sector, which is where Hakimi always advances dangerously.
Someone might say that Morocco lost the CAN final, and in its domains, so it is not on the crest of the wave. It really isn’t, and that, as paradoxical as it may be, will help the Atlas Lions.
They realized, at the very least, that they are not the best on the continent (no high heels, which is always harmful) and that in important games you don’t “clown” on penalty kicks (never again).
While they would already enter the game against Brazil with high desire and motivation, as it is the opening game of the World Cup and because the opponent is the five-time world champion, the setback against Senegal raises a warning that everything is not going so well. Willingness rises, motivation rises.
Defeat teaches more than victory, and the tendency is for Morocco to improve until the World Cup. Already strong, it will be even stronger. Bad for Brazil.
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