Brazil are without Neymar for their opening game of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco tonight. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, will don the No10 shirt in North America but has not recovered from a grade two calf injury in time to feature in the Group C showdown.
Team News and Starting Lineup
With the five-time world champions lining up in a 4-3-3 formation under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, it means that Barcelona winger Raphinha is out wide right, with Lucas Paqueta in as the third midfielder alongside Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes. Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior was always guaranteed to start on the opposite flank.
Ancelotti also had a decision to make in attack after deciding to leave Chelsea striker Joao Pedro at home. Igor Thiago gets the nod over Matheus Cunha and Endrick, despite the Manchester United forward leading the line in a recent friendly against Panama. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is in net, while Roger Ibanez and Douglas Santos complete the back four with Marquinhos and Gabriel as the centre-backs.
Brazil XI:
- Alisson
- Ibanez
- Marquinhos
- Gabriel
- Douglas Santos
- Casemiro
- Guimaraes
- Paqueta
- Raphinha
- Thiago
- Vinicius
Injured: Neymar
Time and date: 11pm GMT on Saturday, June 13, 2026
How to watch: BBC One
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
