The moment has arrived. Brazil’s Copa América campaign kicks off Saturday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and manager Carlo Ancelotti has already thrown a few curveballs that have fans buzzing.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Brasília time (6 p.m. ET), with Slovenia’s Slavko Vincic officiating. The match will air on Globo, SporTV, Cazé TV, SBT, and streaming platforms.
Ancelotti’s Bold XI
Perhaps the biggest headline? Neymar is on the bench — and according to team sources, he won’t see the pitch at all. The decision has sparked intense debate online, with fans divided over whether it’s a tactical masterstroke or a risky gamble for a team eyeing its first Copa title since 2019.
Brazil’s starting XI: Alisson; Ibañez, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães; Lucas Paquetá, Igor Thiago, Vinícius Jr., and Raphinha.
The surprise inclusion of Ibañez and Douglas Santos as full-backs raised eyebrows, as many expected more experienced options. But the real talking point is Igor Thiago, the Brentford striker who beat out Matheus Cunha for the starting striker role. Thiago’s physicality and hold-up play clearly won Ancelotti’s trust, though fans online noted Cunha’s superior club form this season.
Ederson Called Up After Wesley Injury
Midfielder Éderson earned a last-minute call-up after Wesley was ruled out with an injury. The team has not confirmed the severity of Wesley’s issue, but the Portugal-based player’s absence cleared the path for the Atalanta man to join the squad.
Morocco’s Own Drama
Morocco arrives in New Jersey with its own set of challenges. Manager Mohamed Ouahbi, who took over in March after Walid Regragui’s departure, faces the biggest test of his young international career. Ouahbi led Morocco’s U-20 team to a World Cup title last year, but senior-level success is a different beast entirely.
The Atlas Lions will be without two key starters: center-back Nayef Aguerd and winger Abde Ezzalzouli both were ruled out late in preparations. Ezzalzouli’s absence stings especially hard — after a strong season at Betis alongside Antony, he was expected to be a primary attacking threat. Right-back Noussair Mazraoui was a doubt with a dislocated shoulder but has recovered enough to start.
Morocco’s lineup: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Chadi Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Brahim Díaz, El Khanouss, Ounahi; Saibari.
What’s at Stake
Group C is wide open, and both teams know a win here sets the tone. Brazil has depth but is still integrating new faces; Morocco is trying to build on its historic 2022 World Cup semifinal run under a new coach. Saturday’s clash at MetLife could tell us a lot about how far each side has come — or still has to go.
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