World Cup 2026: Brazil ready for Morocco as Alisson Becker targets glory, not favourites tag

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker insists the Selecao are ready for their World Cup opener against Morocco, dismissing suggestions that not being among the tournament favourites diminishes their chances of lifting football’s biggest prize.

Speaking at Brazil’s team hotel in New Jersey on Thursday, the Liverpool shot-stopper projected calm confidence ahead of Saturday’s Group stage clash at MetLife Stadium, arguing that reputations mean little once the competition begins.

While teams such as Argentina and France have attracted more attention as potential champions, Alisson believes the real test lies in how prepared a side is when the tournament starts.

“What really matters is the condition you are in at the first game. We are ready,” he said.

The 33-year-old is preparing for his third World Cup and confirmed that concerns over his recent injury setbacks are behind him.

“I am 100% fit,” Alisson said, offering Brazil a major boost before their opening assignment against an ambitious Moroccan side.

Favourites label means nothing

Brazil arrive in the United States under unusual circumstances. The five-time world champions endured an inconsistent South American qualifying campaign, eventually finishing fifth behind Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and Uruguay.

For a nation accustomed to dominance, the qualification process exposed vulnerabilities and intensified scrutiny around the team.

Yet Alisson rejected the notion that entering the tournament without the burden of being favourites is either an advantage or a disadvantage.

Being tipped to win, he argued, “is no guarantee for anybody” and merely increases pressure on players already operating under enormous expectations.

Instead, Brazil’s focus has shifted towards ensuring they peak at the right moment.

Ancelotti’s calming influence

Alisson credited head coach Carlo Ancelotti with restoring stability after a turbulent period for the national team.

“This last cycle was hard; we felt it deeply. But everything started to get better once Ancelotti arrived. He has a very strong presence in the group and gives us tranquillity to work,” he said.

The Italian became the first foreign coach to lead Brazil and has now spent nearly a year trying to steer the Selecao back to the summit of world football.

Although results under the 67-year-old have been mixed, his experience and leadership continue to inspire belief that Brazil can end a 24-year wait for another World Cup triumph.

Defensive focus ahead of opener

One of Ancelotti’s priorities has been tightening a defence that looked vulnerable during qualifying.

“Some of those goals could have been avoided. We are working on it, because the World Cup is a short tournament. We know we will always have chances to score because of the quality of the team,” Alisson said.

The goalkeeper acknowledged the importance of eliminating avoidable mistakes in a competition where a single lapse can end a title challenge.

Asked about joining the select group of Brazilian goalkeepers to feature in three or more World Cups, Alisson revealed a different ambition.

Rather than celebrate longevity, he wants to belong to another exclusive club.

The champions’ club.

With Morocco standing first in Brazil’s path, Alisson believes the Selecao have arrived exactly where they need to be: prepared, focused and ready to prove that favourites are not always the eventual winners.