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Brazil draws with Morocco in 2026 World Cup opener; next match against Haiti

6 sources · 14 Jun 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage

Brazil opened the 2026 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Morocco on Saturday (13) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ismael Saibari opened the scoring for Morocco in the 21st minute of the first half, but Vinícius Júnior equalized in the 32nd minute of the first half. ?

Press quotes (2)
Aljazeera

"Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener on Saturday"

ESPN

"Morocco struck first with a goal from Ismael Saibari in the 21st minute, but the five-time champions got the equalizer minutes later from Vinícius Júnior to give a point to both teams in their opener."

Saibari's goal came after a play by Brahim Díaz, who "threaded a perfect ball through the Brazil defense and Ismael Saibari lifted it over a charging Alisson," according to USA Today. Vinícius Júnior responded quickly, combining with Bruno Guimarães before hitting a 113-kilometer-per-hour shot into the corner past goalkeeper Bono.

Press quotes (2)
Usatoday

"Morocco came out the aggressor and made it pay in the 21st minute, when Brahim Diaz threaded a perfect ball through the Brazil defense and Ismael Saibari lifted it over a charging Alisson."

NSC Total

"O empate do Brasil veio nos pés de Vini Jr. O atacante tabelou com Bruno Guimarães, cortou a marcação e acertou um chute de 113 quilômetros por hora para estufar as redes do goleiro Bono."

With the draw, Brazil and Morocco share the provisional leadership of Group C with one point each. Brazil's next match will be "against Haiti on June 19 (Friday), at 9:30 PM Brasília time (8:30 PM local time), at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, United States," according to Brasil de Fato.

Press quotes (1)
Brasil de Fato

"O próximo jogo será contra o Haiti no dia 19 de junho (sexta-feira), às 21h30 de Brasília (20h30 no horário local), no Estádio Lincoln Financial Field, na Filadélfia, Estados Unidos."

The match marked the debut of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti leading the Brazilian national team, the first time the country has been managed by a foreign coach in a World Cup. Brazil had 55% possession and five shots on goal compared to Morocco's two.

Press quotes (1)
Revista Oeste

"O Brasil teve 55% de posse de bola. A Seleção Brasileira teve cinco chutes a gol, contra dois de Marrocos."

1. What we know (2)

Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 in the Group C opener of the 2026 World Cup

3 sources Brasil de Fato NSC Total Revista Oeste

Vinícius Júnior scored Brazil's equalizing goal in the 32nd minute of the first half

2 sources NSC Total Revista Oeste
2. Where coverage thins out (2)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (1)

President Lula sent a message of support to the players before the match

Reported by: Brasil de Fato
Did not cover: NSC Total Revista Oeste

Conflicting versions (1)

Exact timing of Ismael Saibari's goal

1 source — "Saibari scored in the 20th minute": NSC Total
4 sources — "Saibari scored in the 21st minute": ESPN Aljazeera Usatoday Revista Oeste
3. What we don't know yet

No gaps declared — all sources converge on the material facts.

All sources

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