The World Cup continues this Saturday with three matches on the schedule. Qatar-Switzerland will kick off the evening at 21 p.m. in Group B, before the big match of the night: Brazil-Morocco, at midnight, in Group C. Haiti-Scotland will follow at 3 a.m., also in Group C.
Qatar-Switzerland kicks things off, before the night shifts
Qatar vs. Switzerland kicks off the day's schedule at 21 p.m., broadcast on M6 and beIN Sports. This Group B match follows Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, already played in this group. For Qatar, it's an immediate test against a Swiss team that has been a fixture on the international stage for several tournaments. While not the most anticipated match of the day, it could already have a significant impact on the balance of a group where every point will count.
Brazil-Morocco: the match everyone is waiting for
The real highlight of the program is Brazil vs. Morocco. Kick-off is at midnight French time at New York New Jersey Stadium, marking the start of Group C for both teams. The match pits Brazil, five-time world champions, against Morocco, semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup and the first African team to reach this stage of the competition. A true clash between a nation looking to reclaim its former glory and a Moroccan team that refuses to be treated as a mere surprise package.
Big disappointment for fans: Brazil will start its World Cup campaign without NeymarThe striker is unavailable for this first match against Morocco due to a calf injury, an absence in a team already hampered by several setbacks. Carlo Ancelotti has also lost Rodrygo, Estêvão, Éder Militão, and Wesley. This accumulation of injuries forces the Brazilian coach to adjust his starting eleven, particularly at right-back, where the absences of Wesley and Militão reduce the options.
Vinicius at the center of the Brazilian plan
Without Neymar, Brazil will have to rely even more heavily on Vinicius Junior. The winger arrives to lead the attack, inject pace, create opportunities, and shoulder some of the offensive burden left by the absence of the number 10. Speaking to the press, Vinicius emphasized the collective goal: to help Brazil win a sixth World Cup. Brazil hasn't won the World Cup since 2002 and has been eliminated in the quarterfinals in its last two tournaments.
Morocco was also affected, but its ambitions were not diminished.
Morocco is also missing some key players. Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli withdrew before the opening match. The defender and winger, two important members of the Moroccan squad, have been replaced by Marwane Saadane and Amine Sbai. This is a significant loss for a team whose defensive balance and ability to accelerate down the flanks are crucial in big games. However, Morocco retains some key players, starting with Achraf Hakimi, who has recovered from a thigh injury, and approaches this match with a healthy dose of confidence.
Morocco no longer wants to be the surprise guest
Since 2022, Morocco's status has changed. Their semi-final appearance in Qatar, built on victories against Spain and Portugal, has shifted expectations. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi clearly laid out the agenda before the match: Morocco no longer wants to be seen as an underdog with an inferiority complex. He emphasized that his team had reached a new level, that it commanded greater respect, and that it had to embrace this new status. Against Brazil, Morocco isn't simply there to defend deep and survive. They're there to test their mettle against one of the tournament's historical favorites.
A precedent that puts pressure on
The last Brazil-Morocco match adds even more weight to this clash. In March 2023, Morocco beat Brazil 2-1 in Tangier. This result reminds Brazil that Morocco knows how to cause them problems. It also reminds Morocco that they have already defeated this team, albeit in a different context. For the first group match, this detail is significant: it removes some of the intimidating aspects and gives the game real sporting tension.
Haiti vs. Scotland to close out the first day of Group C
After Brazil vs. Morocco, Haiti and Scotland will enter the tournament at 3 a.m. in Group C. This match will provide the first comprehensive overview of the group. Depending on the result of the midnight clash, Haiti and Scotland could benefit from a draw between Brazil and Morocco, or respond to a victory by one of the two pre-tournament favorites…
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