Brazil began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Coach Carlo Ancelotti openly discussed his team’s performance, admitting that early pressure and anxiety among players were major weaknesses. Morocco took the lead in the 21st minute through Ismail Saibari, but Vinicius Junior equalized 11 minutes later. Ancelotti said Brazil’s first half was poor, though the team improved after the break.

The Italian coach, making his World Cup debut as Brazil’s first foreign manager, acknowledged that the team struggled with ball control and balance. He accepted responsibility for the mistakes and emphasized the need for improvement while maintaining confidence. Ancelotti noted that such difficulties are not unusual in a World Cup opener and praised Morocco’s organization throughout the match.

Looking ahead, Brazil will face Haiti on June 20. Ancelotti said he plans to make the team more balanced and attacking, using the squad’s depth to address weaknesses. He also praised Vinicius Junior for his strong performance and predicted a promising tournament for the forward.