Carlo Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian coach to lead the Seleção at a World Cup, faces Brazil's opening group-stage match against Morocco on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with a clear-eyed awareness of what is at stake — and what could go wrong. "His position perhaps has more pressure than being the president of the country," goalkeeper Alisson Becker said of his coach, reflecting the weight of expectation on a nation that has not lifted the trophy since 2002 and suffered a devastating 7-1 defeat to Germany on home soil in the 2014 semi-finals.

Ancelotti will be without his most iconic player from the outset. Neymar, 34, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 internationals, is still recovering from a torn right calf muscle sustained in May during a club match for Santos. The injury compounds a brutal stretch for the forward, who spent over two and a half years rehabilitating a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in his left knee — suffered in October 2023 — before earning his place in the squad after 944 days without an international appearance. Ancelotti said he expects Neymar to be available "next week," but was careful not to commit beyond that. "When we called up Neymar, we didn't only call him up for his footballing qualities, which are undoubted, but also for his experience — he can be an example for the young players," the Italian said.

Far from dismissing Morocco, Ancelotti struck a deliberately cautious tone in the pre-match press conference, framing nerves as a strategic asset. "Fear is an important part of life," he said. "If you are not afraid and you are surprised, you might see a lion and think it is a cat. Fear can save your life — it is always good to be alert and focused." His caution is grounded in recent history: Morocco, the reigning African champions, became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, eliminating Spain and Portugal before losing 2-0 to France. Star forward Vinícius Júnior, who plays alongside Morocco's Brahim Díaz at Real Madrid, echoed the respect. "Morocco is without doubt capable of surprising everyone and achieving something great, just as they did last time," he said.

The match carries the weight of broader ambitions. Brazil are ranked sixth in the world, Morocco seventh, and Ancelotti acknowledged the modern game's competitiveness plainly: "In modern football there is no small-time team." Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi — a Paris Saint-Germain teammate of Brazil captain Marquinhos, with whom he celebrated a Champions League title just weeks ago — was characteristically measured. "We all respect Brazil. Some people say it's not the Brazil of before. Well, it's still Brazil," he said. Hakimi also playfully acknowledged Ancelotti, who has won a record five Champions League titles as a manager: "I respect him very much. I've read all his books. Maybe I'll have an advantage — I know all his secrets."

For Ancelotti, who took charge of Brazil in May 2025, the tournament represents uncharted personal territory after a celebrated club career spanning AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. "It is a new experience, but it is certainly a special one," he said. "It means bearing the responsibility and pride of representing the home of football, the most successful national team in the world. I want to enjoy this moment with joy and happiness — it is a wonderful moment in my career." Brazil have not lost a World Cup opener since 1934, a run of 20 unbeaten games, and Ancelotti has made clear that restoring the Seleção to the summit of the game is both the honour and the burden he has chosen to carry.