Liverpool number one keeper Alisson Becker in action for Brazil tonight he’s one of the seven representing the reds on the biggest stage of world football.
While Alisson guards the Seleção net, his Anfield clubmates fly their flags across the globe with their respective nations, but fans worldwide turn their eyes firmly toward East Rutherford tonight.
Five-time world champions Brazil officially kick off their Group C campaign against African titans Morocco at the MetLife Stadium. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are desperate to heal the wounds of their quarter-final exit in Qatar four years ago, while the Atlas Lions face a monumental task under new leadership as they look to capture the magic of their historic 2022 semi-final run.
Alisson’s lead-up to the 2026 tournament sparked considerable discussion. After a demanding club campaign with Liverpool, where the coaching staff heavily managed his minutes following a thigh strain, Alisson openly admitted that he made a calculated decision to strategically miss some domestic games so he could arrive at the World Cup at peak fitness.
“I’m 100%. Missing games for Liverpool was part of the plan to make sure I was ready for the World Cup… Everyone knows I spent a period out before the World Cup, but also very much because of arriving at the World Cup 100%.”
Despite navigating an injury-interrupted domestic season where back-up Giorgi Mamardashvili frequently deputized for him at Anfield, Alisson returned to fitness just in time for the season finale against Brentford and started in Brazil’s recent pre-tournament warm-up fixtures.
| Date | Match | Competition | Minutes | Saves | Result |
| June 6, 2026 | Brazil vs Egypt | International Friendly | 45′ | 0 | W 2-1 |
| May 31, 2026 | Brazil vs Panama | International Friendly | 45′ | 0 | W 6-2 |
| May 24, 2026 | Liverpool vs Brentford | Premier League | 90′ | 1 | D 1-1 |
How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM local time (ET) / 11:00 PM BST
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- TV/Streaming: ZEE5, Unite8 Sports (International), FOX/FS1 (US), BBC/ITV (UK)
Recent form guide
Brazil: Brazil enter the tournament having finally found their groove under Carlo Ancelotti. After a bumpy qualification phase where they finished fifth in CONMEBOL, the Seleção hit a rich vein of form in their pre-tournament warm-ups, winning three straight games with an aggregate score of 11-4.
Morocco: Morocco, now led by former U-23 boss Mohamed Ouahbi following Walid Regragui’s sudden resignation, are incredibly tough to beat. They won the Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year and have built an imposing record since 2023, losing just twice in 45 games.
| Team | Recent Form (Most Recent First) | Key Warm-up Results |
| Brazil | W W W L D | 2-1 vs Egypt, 6-2 vs Panama, 3-1 vs Croatia |
| Morocco | D W W W D | 1-1 vs Norway, 1-0 vs Senegal |
Injuries, absences, and suspensions
Both camps have been hit hard by the injury bug right on the eve of the tournament, forcing tactical re-thinks for both managers.
Brazil
- Neymar: Out (Calf injury; recovering from a grade two strain and misses the opening match).
- Wesley: Out (Muscle injury; completely ruled out of the World Cup tournament).
Morocco
- Nayef Aguerd: Out (Groin injury; ruled out of the tournament and replaced by Marwane Saadane).
- Abde Ezzalzouli: Out (Knee injury sustained against Norway; replaced by Amine Sbaï).
- Noussair Mazraoui: Doubtful (Shoulder injury; a late call will be made on his availability).
Predicted starting lineups
Ancelotti is expected to deploy a fluid 4-3-3, relying heavily on the Real Madrid connection with Vinicius Jr patrolling the left flank and Casemiro anchoring the midfield.
For Morocco, Mohamed Ouahbi will look to exploit a fluid three-man frontline spearheaded by Brahim Díaz, while setting up a strict mid-to-low defensive block.
Brazil Predicted XI (4-3-3)
Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Raphinha, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr; Cunha
Morocco Predicted XI (4-3-3)
Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Amrabat, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Diaz, Saibari, El Khannoussi
ReadLiverpoolFC Verdict
This has all the ingredients of a classic World Cup opening stalemate turned tactical chess match. While Morocco possess the defensive structure and counter-attacking sharpness to frustrate the five-time champions for long periods, Brazil’s overwhelming attacking depth off the bench should ultimately give them the edge.
Expect a tightly contested, physical affair, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side should find a way to break through a resilient Atlas Lions backline late in the game.
