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Alisson Becker feels for Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian expected to bring Brazil a record sixth World Cup title.
“His position maybe has more pressure than being the president of the country,” said the Seleção’s top goalkeeper.
Brazil are unbeaten in 20 World Cup openers since 1934 and have won 17 going into Saturday’s match against African champions Morocco.
After conquering the globe with Pelé, samba football and yellow canary jerseys, Brazil was once the nation others emulated.
No more. Brazil have not won the title since 2002 and have gone past the quarter-finals just once since, a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semi-final at home in Belo Horizonte.
“We are here to try to change history, to try to bring Brazil back to where it should never have left, which is at the top,” forward Vinícius Júnior said Friday through an interpreter. “We are on the same level as the other big teams.”
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, losing 2-0 to France four years ago. The Atlas Lions won their continent’s title controversially in January – they lost 1-0 to Senegal but were awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory because the Lions of Teranga left the pitch for 15 minutes during stoppage time in protest at a penalty awarded to their opponent.
Brazil is in sixth place in the world and Morocco in seventh place.
“In modern football there are no – how do we say? – small teams,” Ancelotti said through an interpreter. “They are clearly up to the task.”
In their one World Cup meeting, Brazil won 3-0 in the group stage in 1998 with goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.
“We all respect Brazil. Some people say it’s not the Brazil of before. Well, it’s still Brazil,” Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi said through an interpreter. “They are passionate. They love football. They have great qualities. They really want to win this World Cup.”
En route to the 1994 World Cup title in the USA, Brazil became famous for the baby-rocking goal celebration of Bebeto, alongside teammates Romário and Mazinho.
Ancelotti wouldn’t mind more talk.
“Dancing is not prohibited in the new rules from FIFA. This is not prohibited,” he said. “They want to optimize the playing time, but you can still celebrate and dance.”
Brazil faces high expectations at home
Brazilian fans are not expecting a title. Some expect one and others demand it.
“We have an opportunity to compete to win,” Ancelotti said, switching to English. “We have a good feeling.”
Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian to coach the team at a World Cup, took over in May 2025 from Dorival Júnior. He has won a record five Champions League titles, leading AC Milan and Real Madrid, and is the only manager to have won championships in all five major European leagues.
“I respect him a lot. I’ve read all his books,” Hakimi said playfully. “Maybe I’ll have an advantage over him. I know all his secrets.”
Warm weather is expected in the New York area
A temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 Celsius) is expected for kickoff at MetLife Stadium, site of the July 19 final.
“We are used to the heat. We are Africans,” Hakimi said.
The captains of Morocco and Brazil are friends – but not for the next 5 weeks
Hakimi and Brazil captain Marquinhos are Paris Saint-Germain teammates and on May 30 they helped their club win a second straight Champions League title.
Hakimi said he took two days off before starting World Cup preparations.
“When we play together at PSG we have a good laugh and we said on the (World Cup) pitch that we are not teammates,” Hakimi said. “We talk, of course, but we each want to win, and may the best win.”
Neymar is still sidelined with a calf injury
Selected for his fourth World Cup at the age of 34, Neymar is still recovering from a torn right calf and Ancelotti said the country’s career leader with 79 goals will not be ready to play on Saturday.
“We hope he can be back in full training next week,” Ancelotti said. “When we called up Neymar, we called him not only for his footballing qualities, which are undoubted, but also for his experience, because he can be an example for the young players we have in the squad.”
Report from the Associated Press.
