Endrick has described Morocco national football team as one of the strongest sides in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that Brazil’s opening match against the Atlas Lions will feel like “an early semi-final”.
The 19-year-old Brazilian forward made the comments ahead of the highly anticipated Group C encounter between Brazil national football team and Morocco, scheduled to take place on 14 June at MetLife Stadium in the United States.
Speaking to Moroccan broadcaster Le 360 Sport, Endrick highlighted Morocco’s recent performances on the world stage and acknowledged the growing strength of the North African side.
“Morocco was very present in the last edition after finishing fourth, and Brazil always enters the tournament with the aim of winning the title. It will be one of the toughest group stage matches; it’s like an early semi-final.”
The fixture is expected to be one of the standout matches of the opening round, with both nations ranked among the world’s top ten teams according to the latest FIFA rankings.
Brazil currently sit sixth in the rankings, while Morocco are eighth, making them the two highest-ranked teams in Group C. The group also includes Scotland national football team and Haiti national football team.
Morocco earned worldwide praise at the previous World Cup after becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, eventually finishing fourth overall.
Endrick suggested that achievement had changed global perceptions of the Atlas Lions and made them one of the most respected teams heading into the 2026 competition.
“It is a very strong team, and it proved in the last World Cup that it did not come just to participate.”
The young striker is among the 26 players selected by Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s World Cup squad.
He joins a star-studded group that includes Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha as Brazil seek another world title.
Following the Morocco match, Brazil will continue their Group C campaign against Haiti on 20 June in Philadelphia before concluding the group phase against Scotland on 25 June in Miami.
Brazil’s preparations for the tournament will also include two international friendly matches before the World Cup begins.
The South American side are scheduled to face Panama national football team on 31 May before taking on Egypt national football team on 6 June.
The comments from Endrick underline the level of anticipation surrounding the opening clash between Brazil and Morocco, a match already being viewed by many as one of the most competitive fixtures of the group stage.
With both teams entering the tournament carrying significant expectations, the meeting at MetLife Stadium could have a major impact on the race to top Group C and shape the knockout path for two of the competition’s strongest contenders.
