Vinícius Júnior delivered the equalizer as Brazil opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium, keeping the country’s long streak of unbeaten starts alive.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, looked ready to hand Brazil an opening-night lesson—until Vinícius Júnior took matters into his own feet.
Brazil began its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Morocco on Saturday, aiming to turn a 24-year title drought into something closer to belief. The Canarinho didn’t start on their terms. Morocco grabbed an early 1-0 lead when Ismael Saibari found the net.
That advantage didn’t last. Roughly 10 match minutes later, Vinícius Júnior struck for Brazil in spectacular fashion to level the score. When the final whistle came, it was a 1-1 draw, leaving both teams with one point.
For Brazil, the result carried more than two points on the table. The draw kept a remarkable record intact: Brazil has remained unbeaten in opening World Cup matches dating back to 1934, going 21-0 in those openers.
The larger story now is how this squad—built on history but tested by the present—handles the rest of Group C. Brazil entered the tournament with a reputation defined by trophies: Brazil has won five World Cup titles. with the most recent coming in 2002. The current group. though. includes Haiti and Scotland as well. and Brazil will have to move past the opener with the same urgency it showed after falling behind.
Brazil and Morocco are the clear favorites to advance out of Group C, and the schedule sets up a straightforward sequence of pressure.
Brazil will face Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 19, then close the group stage against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 24.
The context around the team only adds to the stakes. Neymar—Brazil’s all-time leading scorer—is injured and older, a reminder that even Brazil’s depth has limits. Still, the starting message from this 2026 group has been hard to ignore: Vinícius Júnior is not just part of the plan. He’s the spark.
Brazil Vinícius Júnior Vini Jr Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup MetLife Stadium Group C Haiti Scotland Neymar