Ancelotti era begins as Brazil lead star-studded World Cup Saturday line-up

LOS ANGELES, June 13 — Five-time champions Brazil launch their World Cup campaign on Saturday against surprise 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in one of the standout fixtures of the group stage.

On a day featuring four matches across the expanded 48-team tournament, Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 to face debutants Haiti in Boston.

Elsewhere, 2022 hosts Qatar meet Switzerland in Santa Clara, while Australia take on Turkey in Vancouver to complete the schedule.

Co-hosts the United States opened their home campaign in emphatic fashion on Friday, beating Paraguay 4-1 in front of a 70,000-strong crowd in Los Angeles that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise and David Beckham.

Brazil under spotlight in New Jersey

Attention now turns to Brazil in New Jersey, with the Seleção still among the sport’s biggest global attractions despite a decline from their dominant era.

Carlo Ancelotti has been brought in to lead Brazil’s bid to end a 24-year wait for another World Cup title.

“It’s a new experience, it’s a new responsibility to represent the country of football,” the Italian said on Friday.

“We have a team that can compete with every team in the world, we’re convinced of that. It’s a team with quality and experience, and with absolute confidence that it can compete with anyone,” he added.

Brazil struggled through South American qualifying, losing six of 18 matches to finish fifth — a placing that would previously have forced them into play-offs.

Forwards Rodrygo and Estevão are both ruled out through injury, while Neymar remains sidelined for the opener as he continues his recovery.

Ancelotti said the forward is “working very hard to recover as quickly as possible”, though Neymar has not featured for Brazil since 2023.

That places added responsibility on Vinícius Júnior, who scored 21 goals for Real Madrid last season, while Barcelona’s Raphinha also offers attacking threat.

Morocco, meanwhile, arrive with growing confidence after their historic run to the semi-finals in 2022.

Coach Mohamed Ouahbi said the opening clash would be a key benchmark for his side.

“It’s a match that will tell us where we stand, but I think we’re in a good place to start this competition,” he said.

“Lots of people say it’s not the Brazil of old, but it’s still Brazil,” he added.

Scotland back on the World Cup stage

Scotland return to the tournament for the first time in 28 years, with Scott McTominay expected to anchor the team’s midfield.

Napoli midfielder McTominay has become a national talisman after his overhead kick against Denmark sealed qualification last November.

Haiti, making their World Cup debut, will be hoping to deliver a morale-boosting performance for a country facing ongoing instability.

Australia coach Tony Popovic said his side would aim to “punch above our weight” but warned Turkey would provide a stern opening test.

The expanded World Cup concludes with the final in New Jersey on July 19. — AFP