World Cup 2026: Hakimi backs Morocco to challenge Brazil in blockbuster opener

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi believes the Atlas Lions are fully prepared for their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Brazil, insisting the team has the quality and confidence needed to compete with one of football’s traditional powerhouses.

Morocco ready for huge test

The Paris Saint-Germain star spoke ahead of the highly anticipated clash, which will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The match is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round of the tournament.

Morocco enter the competition carrying the confidence gained from their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, where they became the first African nation to reach the last four.

Hakimi aware of Brazil’s threat

The Moroccan defender acknowledged the danger posed by Brazil’s attacking stars, particularly Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, whom he has faced several times at club level.

“I think everyone knows the Brazil national team and the qualities of Vinicius. I’ve played against him many times, and he’s an excellent footballer.”

Hakimi stressed that stopping Brazil’s attack would require a collective effort rather than individual battles.

“To contain Vinicius and other top-level Brazilian players, the whole team needs to defend together and stick to a clear plan.”

Confidence growing in the Atlas Lions camp

Morocco have spent weeks preparing for the challenge and Hakimi believes the squad is mentally and physically ready for the occasion.

“We’ve trained and prepared specifically for matches like this. I believe the team is ready.”

The defender also expressed confidence in his own form as he prepares to lead the North Africans on football’s biggest stage.

‘The African Brazilians’

Hakimi highlighted Morocco’s growing reputation and the talent within the squad, suggesting the team should not be underestimated.

“As I’ve already said, we know our opponent well. We know Brazil, their history, and the quality of their players. But we also have quality.”

“In Africa, we’re called the African Brazilians.”

The remark reflects the confidence currently surrounding the Moroccan camp as they aim to build on recent international success.

Focused on making history

Morocco has been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland. A positive result against Brazil would significantly strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Hakimi emphasized that the team’s immediate focus is solely on the opening fixture.

“We want to start as well as possible. After that, we’ll move from game to game, trying to go as far as we can and perform better than at the last World Cup.”

For Morocco, the journey begins against Brazil, but their ambitions extend far beyond the group stage.