Group C preview: Neymar's Brazil lead a group rich in ambition and emotion

Group C offers a compelling mix of tradition, ambition and underdog spirit as Brazil, Morocco, Haiti and Scotland battle for places in the knockout rounds. Brazil arrive as favourites, with veteran star Neymar potentially making a final World Cup appearance as Carlo Ancelotti's side chases a sixth global title.

Yet questions remain over the fitness of their talisman and whether a new generation can deliver under pressure. Morocco, surprise semi-finalists in 2022, must now cope with heightened expectations and the burden of proving their historic run was no fluke.

Haiti return to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, carrying the hopes of a nation facing immense challenges off the pitch, while Scotland seek to end decades of frustration by reaching the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time. With contrasting storylines and plenty at stake, Group C promises drama from the opening whistle.

Neymar aims for final World Cup bow as Brazil put faith in stricken talisman

For Neymar, the World Cup would be less like a new beginning and more of a curtain call - one last spin on soccer's grandest stage after a career of soaring brilliance and stubborn setbacks.

Now 34, Brazil's all-time top scorer has been recalled by Carlo Ancelotti after almost three years away from the national side, though his participation was already hanging in the balance at the team's first training session last week, which he missed for scans that showed a calf injury.

He last played for Brazil in 2023 when he suffered a devastating knee injury against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier.

Since that October night, Neymar has been sidelined for more than 600 days with a string of injuries between his time playing in Saudi Arabia and Brazil, where he returned to his boyhood club Santos last year in an attempt to revive his career.

Instead, more injuries and fresh controversies have accompanied a struggle for rhythm and sharpness.

This year he has six goals and four assists in 15 matches, carefully managed and never playing more than four consecutive games since returning from more knee surgery in February.

His inclusion in Ancelotti's squad has sparked fierce debate in Brazil. When the Italian stepped up at Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Tomorrow on May 18 to announce his squad, the tension hung heavily in the air until Neymar's name was called and the crowd exploded as though a last-gasp goal had been scored.

Ancelotti, who said on Saturday he believed Neymar could be ready in time for Brazil's first game on June 13, has opted for romance as much as reason by calling up the country's long-time talisman as he shapes a high-intensity side for the five-times world champions.

Team mates have publicly supported Neymar's return, yet supporters remain divided between loyalty and concern over whether his body can still match his imagination.

It would be his fourth World Cup — a tournament that has defined his turbulent journey.

In 2014, on home soil, he scored four goals in five matches before a back injury after a clash with a Colombian opponent ruled him out of the 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germany.

In 2018, arriving with fitness doubts after a foot injury at Paris Saint Germain, he could not stop Brazil falling to Belgium in the quarter-finals.

In 2022, buoyed up by strong club form at PSG, hopes were high again, only for an ankle injury against Serbia to disrupt his campaign before a penalty loss to Croatia ended Brazil's run again in the quarters.

Now, Neymar is far from his peak and facing a tactical dilemma. Ancelotti told Reuters in early May that his side must press high and run relentlessly - a demanding brief for a player rebuilding his body and confidence.

Whether Neymar plays a central role or serves as an emotional lightning rod, his presence alone alters the mood. For better or worse, Brazil's story in 2026 will carry his name once more.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

Heavy burden of expectation could hamper Morocco's hopes

Morocco’s heroics at the last World Cup mean they carry a heavy burden of expectation into this month’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., which threatens to hamper their chances.

The North African nation, who will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain, thrilled their supporters and upset the established order with a mazy run to the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

It was the first time an African nation had reached the final four in the tournament and proved a heady boost to both African and Arab football.

Morocco continued to deliver on the increased expectation by winning all of their World Cup qualifiers, which formed part of a world record run of 19 successive wins, eclipsing the old mark of 15 set by Spain set over a 12-month period from 2008 to 2009.

It made Morocco runaway favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, which they hosted at the turn of the year, but nervy performances were largely unconvincing.

SUPPORTERS UNHAPPY

Supporters turned on the team and, although they reached the final, failure to win a controversy-filled decider against Senegal led to Walid Regragui quitting as coach, no longer willing to put up with the barracking from fans.

His successor, Mohamed Ouahabi, who won the Under-20 World Cup last year but is untested at senior level, will face similar pressure with a squad that still has elements of the successful side from four years ago but has also undergone substantial change.

Former Spain international Brahim Diaz has emerged as the team’s talisman, although he has much redeeming to do after botching a Panenka-style penalty that would have won the Cup of Nations final.

They have since been awarded the trophy by a decision of the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee, but it is under appeal.

Morocco do not have an easy start at the World Cup finals, against Brazil in New York on June 13, but can still expect to advance from Group C which also includes Haiti and Scotland.

Four years ago, they rode a wave of passionate support and had the element of surprise on their side as they beat Spain and Portugal on their way to the last four, but it is likely to prove hard to replicate those heroics this time round.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane), Ahmed Tagnaouti (Royal Armed Forces)

Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven), Youssef Belammari (Al Ahly), Nayef Aguerd (Marseille), Chadi Riad (Crystal Palace), Issa Diop (West Ham United), Redouane Halhal (KV Mechelen), Achraf Hakimi (Paris St-Germain), Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk)

Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet (Strasbourg), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille), Neil El Aynaoui (Roma), Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Yassine Gessime (Strasbourg), Ayoub Amaimouni-Echghouyabe (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Haiti end 52-year World Cup wait and aim to lift nation in turmoil

Haiti return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, having played all their qualifiers at neutral grounds due to gang violence at home and facing long odds in a group featuring five-times champions Brazil, Morocco and Scotland.

The Caribbean side, known as Les Grenadiers, are appearing at the men’s World Cup for only the second time, their previous outing coming in 1974.

That campaign ended at the group stage but Haiti left a mark when Emmanuel Sanon scored against Italy, ending Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff's 1,142-minute clean-sheet record.

At this year's finals, Haiti are the outsiders in Group C, but their involvement will be enough to delight fans back home in a country overwhelmed by humanitarian and security crises.

“We are not scared of anybody,” Duckens Nazon, Haiti's record goalscorer, told Reuters. “We come humble, but also proud because we are Haitian," added the 32-year-old, who scored six of his 44 goals for his country in qualifying.

During the 2026 qualifying campaign, Haiti hosted all “home” matches in neutral venues, primarily in Curacao.

The team have not played a senior home international on their own turf since 2021, when Haiti was consumed by gang violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. In March 2024, armed gangs took over the national stadium, the Stade Sylvio Cator.

HAITI COACH RECRUITS PLAYERS FROM DIASPORA

Haiti's coach, Frenchman Sebastien Migne, a former manager of several African national teams, has never set foot in the country. Migne, who was an assistant coach for Cameroon at the last World Cup in Qatar, has worked hard to add to the squad with players with Haitian roots from overseas.

Striker Nazon plays for Esteghlal in Iran and made a dramatic escape from Tehran on the day the United States and Israel began a bombing campaign earlier this year.

In midfield, Jean‑Ricner Bellegarde, 27, brings European experience as a regular with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. Veteran goalkeeper Johny Placide, 38, captains the side and plays for Ligue 2 club Bastia in France.

Haiti topped their final CONCACAF qualifying group to secure a World Cup place ahead of Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Nazon hopes his team can bring some joy to their troubled home in the coming weeks. “It gives me goosebumps,” he said. “This emotion is unbelievable.”

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Johny Placide, Alexandre Pierre, Josue Duverger

Defenders: Carlens Arcus, Wilguens Paugain, Duke Lacroix, Martin Experience, JK Duverne, Ricardo Ade, Hannes Delcroix, Keeto Thermoncy

Midfielders: Leverton Pierre, Carl-Fred Sainte, Danley Jean-Jacques, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Woodensky Pierre, Simon Dominique

Forwards: Louicius Deedson, Ruben Providence, Josue Casimir, Derrick Etienne, Wilson Isidor, Duckens Nazon, Frantzdy Pierrot, Yassin Fortune, Lenny Joseph

Scotland aim to end first-round World Cup hoodoo

Scotland and their raucous Tartan Army of fans head to their first World Cup since 1998 determined to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time after glorious but heartbreaking near-misses in the past.

Scotland have appeared at eight World Cups, qualifying for five in a row between 1974 and 1990 when their rivals across the border, England, had a patchier run.

But the Scots have never made it beyond the group phase at a World Cup or a European championship.

Three of their first-round World Cup exits have been on goal difference, including in 1978 when Scotland beat eventual finalists the Netherlands 3-2 - a goal by Archie Gemmill remains one of the best at a World Cup - but fell short of qualification.

In 1982, Scotland needed a win in their last group game against the Soviet Union and took an early lead but were held to a 2-2 draw that knocked them out on goal difference again.

Ending the decades of frustration will be the focus of coach Steve Clarke who is hoping to banish the memories of a limp performance at Euro 2024.

NAPOLI MIDFIELDER MCTOMINAY

His squad includes Napoli playmaker Scott McTominay - scorer of a brilliant scissor-kick goal against Denmark in a decisive qualifier - Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn and, pending his recovery from injury, Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper Craig Gordon who would be the second-oldest player at a World Cup.

"It's the first time in 28 years that we've reached the World Cup, so we don't want that alone to be enough," Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean - who scored a goal from the half-way line in the Denmark qualifier - told CBS Sports.

"We feel we've got a real chance of getting out of the group. That's the goal, and that's the ambition for everybody."

This looks like Scotland's best chance of advancing beyond the first phase because of the introduction of a round of 32, doubling the number of teams going into the knockouts, after the World Cup's expansion to 48 teams.

An opening game in Boston against Haiti, playing at only their second World Cup, offers the prospect of a win.

Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, pose a bigger challenge when Scotland return to the Gillette Stadium, and few Scots will be expecting much from the final group game against Brazil in Miami.

Even if Scotland get only three points, however, it is likely to be enough to get into the round of 32.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Finlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli)

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton)