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Morocco held Brazil to a 1-1 draw on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The result, witnessed by 80,663 spectators, was not a shock. It was a confirmation.
Four years after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, Morocco opened its 2026 campaign by going toe-to-toe with one of the sport’s most decorated programs. A record ten African nations qualified for this tournament.
How the match unfolded
Ismael Saibari gave Morocco the lead in the 21st minute. Brazil’s response came through Vinícius Júnior, who equalized in the 32nd minute with a solo effort. The second half settled into a tactical chess match, and the game ended level.
Both teams now sit in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland. The top two teams will advance to the round of 32, with a possible path forward for the third-place finisher as well.
Africa’s World Cup evolution
Rewind to Qatar 2022. Morocco didn’t just qualify. It bulldozed through a group containing Belgium and Croatia, beat Spain on penalties in the round of 16, knocked out Portugal in the quarterfinals, and reached the semi-finals. It was the deepest run by any African or Arab nation in World Cup history.
Ten African nations qualified for the 2026 World Cup, a record. The expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams helped. CAF’s qualifying format allowed nine African nations to earn their spots directly, while DR Congo punched its ticket through intercontinental playoffs in April 2026.
What this means for the tournament and beyond
For Brazil, the draw exposes a vulnerability that’s been lurking beneath the surface. The five-time champions have not won a World Cup since 2002. That’s a 24-year drought and counting.
Morocco now has a result against the strongest team in Group C, which means its remaining fixtures against Haiti and Scotland become opportunities to secure advancement. Brazil, meanwhile, cannot afford another slip.
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