Brazil vs Morocco World Cup 2026: TV, kick-off time, line-ups and team news

Brazil meet Morocco in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, June 13 — kick-off 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT. This guide has the latest team news, where to watch in the United States and the projected line-ups that matter for a high-stakes Group A opener.

Why it matters

This is one of the toughest opening fixtures of the group stage. Brazil are five-time champions aiming to end a 24-year World Cup title drought, while Morocco arrive off a historic 2022 semi-final run and an Africa Cup of Nations win. Both sides have reasons to be cautious: Brazil need to manage recent injury problems, and Morocco still carry the defensive organisation that made them a surprise contender at the last World Cup.

Kick-off time and how to watch in the USA

The match kicks off at 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT on Saturday, June 13, 2026. In the United States, the game will be available across several platforms: FOX and Telemundo will carry the match on broadcast TV, and streaming access is available through Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium and Hulu + Live TV.

Fubo is highlighted as a streaming option compatible with Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and iOS/Android devices. The source notes a Fubo subscription plan priced at $14.99 per month for access to live matches and on-demand content, and mentions VPN use as an option when watching from abroad.

Team news: Brazil injury concerns and projected XI

Brazil head into the opener with notable fitness concerns. Neymar is described as highly unlikely to start because of a persistent calf injury, which would push creative responsibility toward Vinícius Júnior. Carlo Ancelotti is also said to be managing injuries to Eder Militão and Rodrygo, issues that test Brazil's depth in defence and attack.

The source supplies a projected Brazil XI in a 4-2-3-1: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Paquetá, Vinícius; Igor Thiago. This selection emphasizes Brazil’s aim to control possession while protecting against counter-attacks — a tactical balance flagged as important given Morocco’s transition threat.

Team news: Morocco selection and defensive questions

Morocco arrive as one of the tournament’s in-form nations but are carrying fitness doubts of their own. Centre-back Nayef Aguerd is a major doubt with a groin problem, Noussair Mazraoui’s availability is questionable and Ez Abde is ruled out of the squad. Those absences could force coach Mohamed Ouahbi into last-minute defensive adjustments.

A projected Morocco XI given by the source, in a 4-2-3-1, is: Bounou; Hakimi, Riad, Diop, Salah-Eddine; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim Díaz, El Khannouss, Ounahi; Ismael Saibari. The line-up underlines Morocco’s likely approach: defensive compactness and quick transitions, with Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz key to counter-attacking outlets.

Tactics and match context

The preview frames this as a clash of styles: Brazil expected to dominate possession and use wide players to break down Morocco, while Morocco are likely to deploy a disciplined low block and hit on the counter. Brazil’s tendency to press high and leave space on transitions is singled out as a vulnerability that Morocco’s quick attackers could exploit.

Historically the teams have met only a few times in recent memory: Brazil beat Morocco 3-0 at the 1998 World Cup, while Morocco secured a 2-1 friendly win in Tangier in March 2023, a result referenced as evidence of Morocco’s progress.

Key points

• Kick-off: Saturday, June 13 at 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT (MetLife Stadium).
• US broadcasters/streaming: FOX, Telemundo, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, Hulu + Live TV.
• Brazil injury concerns: Neymar is highly unlikely to start; Eder Militão and Rodrygo are also dealing with injuries.
• Morocco doubts: Nayef Aguerd is a major doubt (groin); Noussair Mazraoui questionable; Ez Abde ruled out.
• Projected formations: both sides projected in a 4-2-3-1 by the source; Morocco expected to use a low block and counters, Brazil to prioritise possession.

What it means and what happens next

An opening-day result here will shape the early dynamics of Group A. A Brazil victory would relieve pressure on a side criticised for recent injuries and a difficult qualification campaign; a win or draw for Morocco would confirm their status as a legitimate contender and give them momentum against Scotland and Haiti later in the group. Both coaches will be focused on personnel decisions in the build-up: Brazil over Neymar’s fitness and midfield balance, Morocco on shoring up the defence should Aguerd or Mazraoui miss out.

If key players are absent, expect tactical tweaks: Brazil may rely more on midfield control from Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães and on Vinícius for creativity, while Morocco would likely remain compact and depend on Hakimi and Díaz to initiate counters.

For viewers in the U.S., the practical takeaway is to tune in via one of the listed broadcasters or streamers at 6:00pm ET. International viewers may need to check local rights or use a VPN as noted by the source.

Bottom line

Brazil vs Morocco is a tactical, high-stakes opener that pairs Brazil’s possession football with Morocco’s organised counter-attacking threat. Watch for late team-sheet decisions around Neymar and Morocco’s centre-back options — those availability updates will be decisive for how each side approaches the match.