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Alisson Becker feels for Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian expected to bring Brazil a record sixth World Cup title.
“His position perhaps has more pressure than that of president of the country,” said the Seleção’s top goalkeeper.
Brazil are unbeaten in 20 World Cup opening matches since 1934, winning 17 heading into Saturday night’s match against African champions Morocco.
After conquering the world with Pelé, samba football and canary yellow jerseys, Brazil was once the country imitated by others.
No more. Brazil has not won the title since 2002 and has only advanced past the quarterfinals once since, a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semifinals 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 gone, which is to the top,” striker Vinícius Júnior said through an interpreter on Friday. “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 the continental title in controversial fashion in January: they lost 1-0 to Senegal but were beaten 3-0 because the Teranga Lions left the field for 15 minutes during stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to their opponent.
Brazil is ranked sixth in the world and Morocco seventh.
“In modern football there is no – how do you say it? – small team,” Ancelotti said through an interpreter. “They are definitely up to the task.”
In their only World Cup encounter, Brazil won 3-0 in the 1998 group stage thanks to goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.
“We all respect Brazil. Some say it’s not the Brazil before. Well, it’s still Brazil,” Moroccan 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 title at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Brazil became famous thanks to Bebeto’s goal celebration, joined by teammates Romário and Mazinho.
Ancelotti wouldn’t mind more prancing.
“It’s not forbidden to dance in the new FIFA regulations. It’s not forbidden,” he said. “They want to maximize playing time, but we can still party and dance.”
Brazil faces high expectations at home
Brazilian fans don’t expect a title. Some expect it and others demand it.
“We have the 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 from Dorival Júnior in May 2025. He has won a record five Champions League titles, ahead of 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 jokingly. “Maybe I’ll have an advantage over him. I know all his secrets.”
Hot weather expected in the New York area
A temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 Celsius) is forecast for kickoff at MetLife Stadium, site of the final on July 19.
“We are used to the heat. We are Africans,” Hakimi said.
Morocco and Brazil captains are friends – but not for the next 5 weeks
Hakimi and Brazilian captain Marquinhos are teammates at Paris Saint-Germain and on May 30, they helped their club win a second consecutive Champions League title.
Hakimi said he took two days off before starting preparations for the World Cup.
“When we play together at PSG, we have a good laugh and we said on the pitch (at the World Cup) that we are not teammates,” Hakimi said. “We will talk, of course, but we each want to win and the best one wins.”
Neymar still sidelined with calf injury
Selected for his fourth World Cup at age 34, Neymar is still recovering from a torn right calf and Ancelotti said the country’s career leader with 79 goals would not be ready to play on Saturday.
“We hope he can return to full training next week,” Ancelotti said. “When we called Neymar, we not only called on his footballing qualities, which are unquestionable, but also on his experience, because he can be an example for the young players we have in the team.
Associated Press reporting.
