A decades-long wait for Brazil culminates in a promising yet underwhelming qualification campaign, reminiscent of their triumph at the 1994 World Cup. As the Seleção prepares for their first match on June 13 at MetLife Stadium, expectations run high despite some concerns about the squad's depth.

Brazil's historical strength lies in their defensive prowess, led by the formidable pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos in front of Alisson Becker. The attacking lineup featuring Vinicius Junior and Raphinha aims to replicate the magic of past legends. However, questions loom over the fitness of Casemiro, who has carried a heavy load for Manchester United, and whether Matheus Cunha can rise to the occasion as a World Cup striker.

On the other side, Morocco enters the match with uncertainty following the departure of Walid Regragui after their AFCON failure. Under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the team has faced injuries to key players like Abde Ezzalzouli and Nayef Aguerd, which could weaken their defense. Nevertheless, Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz on the right flank promise to exploit Brazil’s vulnerabilities.

This match serves as a crucial test for Brazil, who must navigate the monumental expectations placed upon them. A potential reality check awaits as they aim for their second trophy on U.S. soil.

Match Details:

• Date: Saturday, June 13
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
• TV: FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
• Odds: Brazil -167; Draw +290; Morocco +400

Predicted Lineups:

• Brazil: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes; Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior; Matheus Cunha
• Morocco: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui; Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi; Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Ismael Saibari

Prediction: Expect a tightly contested match, with Brazil edging out Morocco 2-1 thanks to individual brilliance.