Vinicius Junior will spearhead Brazil’s attack when the five-time World Cup champions open their 2026 campaign against Morocco tonight at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is set for approximately 6 p.m. ET.

The decision by coach Carlo Ancelotti to start the Real Madrid winger signals where Brazil’s creative burden will fall in this tournament. With Neymar ruled out due to a calf injury, Vinicius steps into the spotlight as the team’s most dangerous offensive weapon.

Brazil’s lineup and tactical setup

Raphinha joins Vinicius Junior in the attacking setup, giving Brazil two wide threats capable of stretching Morocco’s backline.

Matheus Cunha gets the nod as the starting striker.

The midfield pairing of Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães provides the kind of engine room that can control possession and break up counterattacks.

At the back, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães anchor the central defense.

The Morocco challenge

The marquee individual matchup of the evening pits Vinicius Junior against Achraf Hakimi. Both play for elite European clubs. Both understand each other’s tendencies from years of facing off in La Liga and Champions League football.

What to watch tonight

Brazil’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup title is the overarching narrative of their entire tournament. Five previous wins make them the most successful nation in the competition’s history.

MetLife Stadium, just outside New York City, provides a fitting backdrop for what should be one of the tournament’s most-watched group stage matches. The venue hosted a Super Bowl in 2014 and routinely accommodates crowds exceeding 80,000.