Brazil vs Morocco

Brazil have the cleaner starting XI balance for a Matchday 1 group opener: Alisson behind Marquinhos and Gabriel, Casemiro-Bruno Guimarães protection, and wide threat from Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha around Paquetá. Morocco are well organised and dangerous through Hakimi, Mazraoui, Brahim Díaz and Ounahi, but Amrabat starting on the bench reduces their initial midfield ball-winning presence. With both teams on 0 points, neither benefits from settling early for a draw, but Brazil’s bench attackers give them the better late win equity if the match is level.