‘One favourite will meet another’: Morocco coach unfazed by Brazil in World Cup group

Morocco coach Walid Regragui struck a confident tone after his team were drawn to face five-time champions Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C of the 2026 World Cup.

Regragui said his side were ready for the challenge of opening their campaign against Brazil, one of the tournament favourites, and insisted Morocco would not be intimidated by the scale of the task.

"We're playing against one of the favorites right from the start, and they are playing one of the favorites right from the start," he told AFP, signalling belief in his squad's growing reputation after their historic semi-final run in 2022.

Regragui acknowledged the quality of their opponents, noting that "Brazil remain Brazil," with the South American giants now guided by Carlo Ancelotti, a coach he described as one of the best in the world.

"Having one of the potential winners in our group, and to play them in the first game, is never easy," he said. "They have picked up one of best coaches with lots of experience -- he will give them serenity."

Despite that, the Morocco coach said his players were determined to meet the challenge head-on and carry the hopes of their supporters.

"We will try to be up to the task to make our fans proud," Regragui added, framing the Brazil clash as both a test and an opportunity as Morocco aim to build on their rise as a global force in international football.