Did you know: Brazil unbeaten for 88 years in World Cup openers

Brazil is the only country to have appeared in all 23 editions of the World Cup. They have also won the FIFA World Cup a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

The World Cup has been the grandest stage for the Selecao, a canvas upon which they have created a century-long masterpiece. Their fascinating story does not begin with the trophy lift, but with the opening whistle.

In the inaugural tournament in 1930, Brazil arrived with great expectations, but political tensions within their own federation meant their squad was composed mostly of Rio de Janeiro-based players.

They suffered defeat in their opening match against Yugoslavia, a setback that signalled the difficult road ahead. Four years later, at the 1934 World Cup, the opening match proved even more unforgiving.

In a tournament structured as a knockout competition from the start, they fell to a 3-1 defeat to Spain, which proved to be their only match of the tournament. It was a sobering moment for the footballing powerhouse, marking the last time they experienced defeat in a World Cup opener.

Since that 1934 defeat, the opening match has become a sanctuary for the yellow and green, a fortress in which they have remained undefeated for 88 years.

In 1974, they were held to a 0-0 draw against Yugoslavia, and in 1978 Brazil again found themselves locked in a stalemate, finishing their opening match against Sweden with a 1-1 scoreline.

Their opening-match prowess is perhaps best illustrated against Mexico. Brazil have beaten Mexico three times in World Cup openers, more than they have any other nation, doing so by an impressive combined score of 11-0.

Across their 22 opening matches since then, the statistics paint the picture of a team that refuses to be constrained. Their attacking legacy runs through their veins, as they have scored 47 goals in those matches.

For the 2026 World Cup, the stage is set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for a blockbuster Group C opener. Their opponents, Morocco, are no longer the underdogs of the past but formidable contenders ready to challenge the Selecao.

This encounter represents a defining moment for both teams. Their head-to-head record is relatively even, although Brazil's most convincing result was a 3-0 victory over Morocco in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup. But Morocco's recent past is a reminder of the difficulty to come.

In their most recent meeting, a friendly in March 2023, Morocco defeated Brazil 2-1. It is a match with a compelling narrative as the referee prepares to blow the whistle. For Brazil, it is the first step in their pursuit of returning to the summit of world football. For Morocco, it is an opportunity to send a resounding message to the footballing world.

The history of Brazil's World Cup openers:

1930 Uruguay: Brazil 1-2 Yugoslavia

1934 Italy: Brazil 1-3 Spain

1938 France: Brazil 6-5 Poland

1950 Brazil: Brazil 4-0 Mexico

1954 Switzerland: Brazil 5-0 Mexico

1958 Sweden: Brazil 3-0 Austria

1962 Chile: Brazil 2-0 Mexico

1966 England: Brazil 2-0 Bulgaria

1970 Mexico: Brazil 4-1 Czechoslovakia

1974 West Germany: Brazil 0-0 Yugoslavia

1978 Argentina: Brazil 1-1 Sweden

1982 Spain: Brazil 2-1 Soviet Union

1986 Mexico: Brazil 1-0 Spain

1990 Italy: Brazil 2-1 Sweden

1994 United States: Brazil 2-0 Russia

1998 France: Brazil 2-1 Scotland

2002 South Korea/Japan: Brazil 2-1 Turkey

2006 Germany: Brazil 1-0 Croatia

2010 South Africa: Brazil 2-1 North Korea

2014 Brazil: Brazil 3-1 Croatia

2018 Russia: Brazil 1-1 Switzerland

2022 Qatar: Brazil 2-0 Serbia