Noussair Mazraoui relishing Cunha clash as Morocco prepare for Brazil World Cup showdown

Noussair Mazraoui has already circled one fixture on the calendar, with the Manchester United defender anticipating a lively personal battle when Morocco face Brazil and club teammate Mattheus Cunha at the upcoming World Cup.

The right-back, one of 13 United players set to feature at the tournament, admitted the prospect of going head-to-head with a familiar face adds an extra edge to the occasion, particularly if their match-up unfolds on the flank.

“When you have time, we talk about the club, everything. This subject as well, especially [with] Cunha, because he’s probably going to play left or right winger, [if he’s] on my [side], then [it’s] 1v1, so it’s going to be fun,” he said.

The Morocco-Brazil encounter is already shaping up as one of the standout group fixtures, but the added subplot of club teammates turning adversaries brings further intrigue to an already high-profile clash.

Morocco expectations rising after Qatar breakthrough

Mazraoui also reflected on Morocco’s growing stature on the international stage following their remarkable run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

That achievement has significantly shifted perceptions around the national team, with expectations now firmly raised heading into the 2026 edition.

“I think we’ve been doing really good on an international level as well as in Africa itself. So yeh, expectations are much higher than they were four years ago because we’ve reached that and because we’ve done pretty well the last four or five years,” he said.

“So yeh, the expectations are bigger and it’s up to us to handle that kind of pressure and to show again that you can do the same thing that you did four years ago, and it’s not just luck and it’s going to be like a constant level. I think that’s our biggest ambition for us.”

Morocco’s emergence as a consistent force has reshaped how opponents approach them, with their disciplined structure and tactical organisation now widely respected across international football.

Lessons from Qatar still driving the squad

Looking back at the Qatar tournament, Mazraoui described the experience as both unexpected and liberating, particularly given it was his first appearance on football’s biggest stage.

“Yeh, it was a little bit different. I’m talking like I’ve done four World Cups, it was my first one!” he said.

The defender highlighted how the timing of that tournament, played mid-season, created a unique physical and mental challenge compared to the traditional end-of-season format.

Despite those differences, Morocco thrived on unity and belief rather than expectation, a mindset that carried them into history-making territory.

“I think it’s different, of course, mid-season, it’s different in every aspect, physically, mentally as well… But what I remember from that World Cup is we just went in there with a good fight,” he added.

Mazraoui stressed that the squad entered the tournament without pressure, which ultimately allowed them to play with freedom and confidence.

“Everybody was free in their head. We knew we had a strong team… We never expected to be in the semi-final.”