Brazil v Morocco team news: Igor Thiago starts for Seleção

Brazil and Morocco have confirmed their teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group C fixture in New Jersey.

We're set for an absorbing affair as five-time winners Brazil commence their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup crown, and they will do so under the stewardship of legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti.

His appointment as Brazil's first foreign manager since 1965 followed a 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to rivals Argentina in March 2025.

Morocco, on the other hand, arrive in the United States as Africa Cup of Nations champions and they will be looking to recreate their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

The Atlas Lions enter the tournament with a new manager in the dugout after Mohamed Ouahbi was promoted from his role with the Under-23s following Walid Regragui's resignation.

Ancelotti has named Brentford striker Igor Thiago in his starting XI.

The Bees talisman, who netted 22 goals in the Premier League last season, leads a three-pronged attack alongside Raphinha and Vinicius Junior.

Thiago is one of four Premier League representatives in the Brazil XI including Alisson, Gabriel and Bruno Guimaraes.

PSV Eindhoven forward Ismael Saibari is selected by Ouahbi over Ayoub El Kaabi and he features in an attacking three alongside former Leicester City winger Bilal El Khannouss and Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz.

Brazil XI

Alisson; D. Santos, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Ibáñez; B. Guimarães, Casemiro, Paquetá; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Jr.

Substitutes: Ederson, Weverton, A. Sandro, Bremer, Cunha, Danilo, Danilo Santos, Ederson, Endrick, Fabinho, Pereira, Henrique, Martinelli, Rayan.

Morocco XI

Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, Ounahi; Brahim Díaz, Saibari; El Khannouss.

Substitutes: Munir, Tagnaouti, Amaimouni, Amrabat, Belammari, El Kaabi, El Mourabet, El Ouahdi, Halhal, Rahimi, Saadane, Salah-Eddine, Sbai, Talbi, Yassine.