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Alisson Becker feels sorry for Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian who is expected to give Brazil a record sixth world title.
“His position perhaps has more pressure than being president of the country,” said the Seleção’s top goalkeeper.
Brazil is unbeaten in 20 World Cup openers since 1934, winning 17 heading into Saturday night’s match against African champion Morocco.
Having conquered the world with Pelé, samba football and Canarian yellow shirts, Brazil was once the nation that others emulated.
No more. Brazil has not won the title since 2002 and has progressed beyond the quarter-finals only once since then, a humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 semi-finals at home in Belo Horizonte.
“We are here to try to change history, to try to return Brazil to where it should never have been, which is the highest,” forward Vinícius Júnior said through an interpreter on Friday. “We are at the same level as the other big teams.”
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals, losing 2-0 to France four years ago. The Atlas Lions won their continent’s title in controversial fashion in January: they lost 1-0 to Senegal, but were awarded a 3-0 victory because the Teranga Lions left the field for 15 minutes during stoppage time in protest at a penalty kick awarded to their opponent.
Brazil ranks sixth in the world and Morocco ranks seventh.
“In modern football, there are no, what do we say, small-time teams,” Ancelotti said through an interpreter. “They are definitely up to the task.”
In their only World Cup meeting, Brazil won 3-0 in the 1998 group stage, with goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.
“We all respect Brazil. Some people say it’s not the Brazil it used to be. Well, it’s still Brazil,” Morocco 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.”
On their way to the title during the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Brazil became famous for Bebeto’s goal celebration, accompanied by his teammates Romário and Mazinho.
Ancelotti wouldn’t mind doing more capers.
“Dancing is not prohibited in the new FIFA regulations. This is not prohibited,” he said. “They want to optimize play time, but you can still celebrate and dance.”
Brazil faces high expectations at home
Brazilian fans do not expect a title. Some expect one and others demand it.
“We have the possibility of competing to win,” Ancelotti said, switching to English. “We have a good feeling.”
Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian to lead the team in a World Cup, took over from Dorival Júnior in May 2025. He has won a record five Champions League titles leading AC Milan and Real Madrid, and is the only coach to win championships in all five major European leagues.
“I respect him a lot. I’ve read all his books,” Hakimi said jokingly. “Maybe I have an advantage over him. I know all his secrets.”
Warm weather expected in 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.
The captains of Morocco and Brazil are friends, but not for the next five weeks
Hakimi and Brazil captain Marquinhos are teammates at Paris Saint-Germain and on May 30 helped their club win a second consecutive Champions League title.
Hakimi said he took two days off before beginning preparations for the World Cup.
“When we played together at PSG we laughed a lot and we said on the (World Cup) field that we were not teammates,” Hakimi said. “We will talk, of course, but we all want to win and for the best to win.”
Neymar remains sidelined with a calf injury
Selected for his fourth World Cup at age 34, Neymar is still recovering from a torn right calf and Ancelotti said the nation’s all-time leader with 79 goals will 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 him for his football qualities, which are undoubted, but also for his experience, because he can be an example for the young players we have in the squad.”
Associated Press information.
