Win in Qatar, Flamengo trio in action: Brazil's last World Cup opener | OneFootball

Now at Flamengo, Paquetá, Alex Sandro, and Danilo started in Brazil’s 2022 opener

The Brazil National Team faces Morocco this Saturday (13) at 7 p.m. (Brasília time) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup. The team is looking for a win, just as it did in its opener in the previous edition, when it beat Serbia 2-0 on November 24, 2022, at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

HOW DID BRAZIL’S OPENER IN QATAR GO?

The match in Qatar marked the start of Brazil’s journey in Group G. The first half ended goalless, but Richarlison found the net twice in the second half.

The first goal came after a rebound from the opposing goalkeeper, and the second, a volley, sealed the scoreline. As a result, Brazil secured its first three points of that tournament.

On that occasion, Tite sent out the following players: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá and Neymar; Raphinha, Richarlison and Vini Jr. It is worth noting that, at that time, Danilo, Alex Sandro and Lucas Paquetá were not yet Flamengo players, the club they currently represent.

2022 AND 2026: WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE TEAM?

Coach Carlo Ancelotti plans to keep eight of the eleven players who started against Serbia in 2022 for this match against Morocco. The coaching staff made adjustments in three positions in the starting lineup during preparations at the Columbia Park training center in New Jersey.

It is worth remembering that Brazil wraps up preparations this Friday (12) with the final training session before the clash with Morocco. However, Ancelotti has already outlined the likely lineup: Alisson; Danilo, Gabriel Magalhães, Marquinhos and Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Vini Júnior and Matheus Cunha.

Brazil takes the field on Saturday (13) for its first official match of 2026. The clash at MetLife Stadium marks the beginning of Brazil’s campaign in the group stage. After the opener, the squad will follow the scheduled training and match plan for the rest of the competition.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.