Ancelotti confirms starting lineup ahead of Brazil clash with Morocco

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he has already settled on his starting lineup for their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Morocco.

The five-time world champions completed their final warm-up game with a 2-1 victory over Egypt on Saturday at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, a result that offered encouragement ahead of their tournament opener.

Bruno Guimaraes opened the scoring early for Brazil before Mostafa Ziko restored parity for Egypt shortly after. The decisive moment came in the second half when Endrick came off the bench to score the winning goal for Ancelotti’s side.

Ancelotti Confident in Tactical Plan

Speaking after the match, Ancelotti confirmed that his approach for the Morocco encounter is already clearly defined, with only minor adjustments expected.

“I have decided the starting lineup to face Morocco,” Ancelotti said. “The changes I may make will depend on some details, but the idea is clear.”

The Italian coach also praised the growing understanding between Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, highlighting their attacking chemistry in advanced positions. According to him, their movement and coordination created more attacking options and improved Brazil’s offensive threat.

Injury Concern and Rising Competition in Attack

Despite the positive result, Brazil’s victory was slightly overshadowed by an injury concern involving right back Wesley, who was forced off the pitch in tears. The team is now awaiting medical assessments to determine his availability for the tournament.

There was also further attacking excitement as young forward Endrick made a strong case for inclusion after scoring the winning goal shortly after coming on. His sharp finish from a Raphinha assist added to the growing competition for attacking spots in the squad.

Brazil vs Morocco Set for High Stakes Opener

Brazil will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 at 23:00 GMT+1 in what is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round.

Brazil enter the tournament with high expectations as five-time world champions, while Morocco arrive with strong momentum after reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup.

The Group C clash, which also includes Scotland and Haiti, is widely expected to be one of the most-watched matches of the early stages of the tournament, with both sides aiming to make a strong statement in their opening fixture.