MORRISTOWN, U.S. — As Brazil counts down to its opening 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C clash with Morocco, five-time champion goalkeeper Alisson Becker argues that the widespread skepticism surrounding the Selecao’s title chances could actually be a secret weapon for the side when the tournament gets underway in North America.
Speaking to reporters Thursday at Brazil’s training base in Morristown, New Jersey, the Liverpool first-choice goalkeeper drew on Brazil’s historic underdog success to frame current low expectations as an advantage. “It is a good thing that there are some doubts about the team, because that has been the case on other occasions in the past,” Alisson explained, referencing past Brazil squads that entered tournaments not tipped as favorites but still claimed the World Cup trophy.
Brazil’s last world title came 24 years ago, a drought that has left the nation’s passionate fanbase eagerly anticipating a return to the top of global football. Most notably, the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea saw Brazil enter the tournament not as the leading contender, yet the side went on to lift the trophy — a parallel that lines up directly with 2026, where Brazil has also been omitted from most conversations about the tournament’s top contenders.
Heading into the 48-team 2026 tournament, pre-match analysis has overwhelmingly centered defending champions Argentina, European title holders Spain and 2022 runners-up France, with England and Portugal also regularly cited as more likely winners than Brazil. This underdog status is nothing new for the current squad, which has navigated a rocky lead-up to the tournament.
Alisson acknowledged that the group’s path to the 2026 World Cup has been far from smooth. “The current team has different characteristics compared to past sides. That last period was very difficult for all the players, for various reasons,” he said. After a chaotic South American qualifying campaign that saw Brazil sack two head coaches before Carlo Ancelotti took charge one year ago, the side only secured qualification by finishing fifth in the 10-team CONMEBOL group. But recent form has turned a corner: Brazil has claimed wins in its last three friendly matches, including a 6-2 rout of Panama and a 2-1 victory over Egypt just last week.
The matchup between Brazil (ranked 6th in the current FIFA rankings) and Morocco (ranked 7th) at MetLife Stadium on Saturday stands out as one of the most highly anticipated group stage fixtures of this expanded World Cup. Following their opening game, Brazil will face Group C underdog Haiti before wrapping up its round-robin play against Scotland, with both sides targeting a strong opening result to build momentum for the knockout stage.
Brazil has historic success on U.S. soil, having won the 1994 World Cup hosted by the country. But recent tournament performances have left fans disappointed: Brazil has been eliminated in the quarter-finals in four of the last five World Cups, including a devastating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil in 2014. Most recently, the 2018 Russia World Cup ended in a quarter-final loss to Belgium, while the 2022 Qatar tournament saw Brazil knocked out by Croatia in a penalty shootout.
For 33-year-old Alisson, who is set to play his third World Cup having featured in every game for Brazil in 2018 and all but one match in 2022, dwelling on past disappointment is not an option. “On what happened in the past, I think in football you can’t afford to spend time wallowing,” he said. The goalkeeper also highlighted the positive shift brought by Ancelotti’s appointment: “Since Ancelotti came in, the atmosphere has been transformed. He has such a strong presence and doesn’t focus on controversial issues.”
Alisson and his teammates took to the Columbia Park Training Facility pitch in Morristown for their final training session on Friday, one day ahead of the opening kickoff against Morocco, alongside star forward Vinicius Junior and backup goalkeeper Ederson.
Alongside Saturday’s marquee Brazil-Morocco clash, three other group stage matches are scheduled: Group B play sees Qatar face Switzerland at 2:00 pm ET, Group C action continues with Haiti vs Scotland at 8:00 pm ET, and Group D wraps up the day’s play with Australia taking on Türkiye at 11:00 pm ET.