Today's Edition
LOS ANGELES (AFP)
Five-time winners Brazil roll into the World Cup on Saturday when they play surprise 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in one of the standout group-stage matchups.
On the field, all eyes will be fixed on Brazil in New Jersey.
The Selecao might not be the force they once were, but they remain one of the most glamorous draws in world football.
Carlo Ancelotti has been drafted in to try to end the Brazilians' 24-year wait for another global crown.
Ancelotti, making his World Cup debut as a coach, says he is convinced he has a team capable of competing with the very best.
"It's a new experience, it's a new responsibility to represent the country of football," the Italian said on Friday.
"We have a team that can compete with every team in the world, we're convinced of that. It's a team with quality and experience, and with absolute confidence that it can compete with anyone," he added.
Brazil laboured through their South American qualification campaign, losing six of 18 matches to finish fifth, which in previous years would have forced them into the play-offs.
Forwards Rodrygo and Estevao are out of the squad due to injury, while superstar Neymar will miss the opening game but, Ancelotti said, is "working very hard to recover as quickly as possible".
Neymar has not played for his country since 2023.
That all puts pressure on Vinicius Junior, who scored 21 goals last season for Real Madrid and must provide the firepower if Brazil are to shine, although Barcelona forward Raphinha can also find the net.
Morocco stunned the football world four years ago as they became the first African side to reach the last four in Qatar.
They were awarded this year's Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil. Senegal were stripped of the victory after storming off the pitch in protest at a late penalty decision.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui as Morocco boss in March, said: "It's a match that will tell us where we stand, but I think we're in a good place to start this competition.
"Lots of people say it's not the Brazil of old, but it's still Brazil," he added.
The World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, will culminate in the final in New Jersey on July 19.
