Brazil extends unbeaten streak to 20 World Cup openers

Brazil’s unbeaten record in World Cup opening matches stretches back to 1934. The Selecao have gone 20 consecutive tournament openers without a loss.

That streak gets its next stress test on June 13, when Brazil faces Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to kick off Group C play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A streak older than most countries’ constitutions

Of those 20 unbeaten openers, Brazil has won 17. Across 22 total World Cup opening fixtures in their history, the five-time champions have netted 47 goals. The last time Brazil actually lost a World Cup opener was 1934.

Morocco is no pushover

Morocco enters the 2026 World Cup ranked No. 7 in the world, just one spot behind Brazil at No. 6. The Atlas Lions reached the semifinal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African nation to reach the final four. That tournament saw Morocco dispatch Belgium, Spain, and Portugal before falling to eventual champions France.

The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from the traditional 32-team field, and is being co-hosted across North America.

The Ancelotti factor

Brazil enters this World Cup under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti. His appointment came with the implicit mandate of delivering a sixth World Cup title for Brazil, a country that hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2002.

Pre-tournament preparation included a 2-1 victory over Egypt in a friendly match leading into the World Cup.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.