This will be Brazil's first outing since the departure of Tite back in December, with interim manager Ramon Menezes tasked with taking down the Atlas Lions.

Match preview

Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat celebrates after the match on November 27, 2022 © Reuters

Heading into the World Cup as outsiders, Morocco were not expected to ruffle too many feathers in Qatar, as they found themselves alongside Belgium, Croatia and Canada in what appeared to be a tricky group.

However, Walid Regragui's men ended up making light work of their opponents, drawing with Croatia before beating Belgium and Canada to secure top spot in Group F.

Many believed that Morocco's World Cup journey would end against Spain in the last 16, but the African underdogs defeated the European heavyweights on penalties before booking their place in the last four with a 1-0 victory over Portugal.

The Atlas Lions were eventually knocked out by France in the semi-finals before losing to Croatia in the third-placed playoff, but they exited the tournament with their heads held high.

Morocco were due to compete in the African Nations Championship in January but withdrew due to travel complications, so the players will be eager to return to international duty after enjoying a fairytale run in Qatar.

Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates their fourth goal on December 5, 2022 © Reuters

Having avoided defeat in 12 of their last 14 matches across all competitions – picking up eight wins along the way – Morocco look set to give Brazil a run for their money in Tangier.

By contrast, Brazil's World Cup campaign ended in disappointment once again, as the South American giants bowed out at the quarter-final stage for a fourth time in five attempts.

After topping Group G – finishing ahead of Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia – Brazil thrashed South Korea 4-1 in the last 16, but their journey ended with a penalty-shootout defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals.

Despite having lost just six of his 81 matches in charge of Selecao, manager Tite parted ways with the national team following the disappointment in Qatar, leaving Ramon Menezes to take the reins on an interim basis.

Menezes inherits one of the strongest teams in international football, as Brazil have lost just one of their previous 20 games inside 90 minutes, but there is a sense that major changes are needed for the five-time World Cup winners to compete at the highest level once again.

Morocco friendly form:

Morocco form (all competitions):

Brazil friendly form:

Brazil form (all competitions):

Team News

Brazil's Neymar looks dejected after being eliminated from the World Cup on December 9, 2022 © Reuters

After keeping three clean sheets at the World Cup, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou will retain his place between the sticks for Morocco.

Fellow World Cup stars such as Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi, Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech and Marseille's Azzedine Ounahi have also been recalled by Walid Regragui.

Ayoub Amraoui and Chadi Riad are among the uncapped youngsters called up to the latest squad, while veteran centre-back Romain Saiss also returns as captain.

Brazil are missing star forward Neymar due to injury, while notable players like Alisson Becker, Gabriel Martinelli, Bruno Guimaraes and Raphinha have not been called up by Ramon Menezes.

Instead, the interim manager has included four players who helped Brazil win the recent South American U-20 championship, with Andrey Santos, Vitor Roque, Robert Renan and Mycael earning call-ups.

The Real Madrid trio of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao are included in the 22-man squad, alongside mainstays such as Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta.

Morocco possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, El Yamiq, Mazraoui; Ziyech, Ounahi, Amrabat, Boufal; En-Nesyri

Brazil possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Lodi, Bremer, Militao, Royal; Paqueta, Casemiro, Santos; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Antony

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We say: Morocco 2-2 Brazil

Buoyed by their achievements at the World Cup, Morocco will fancy their chances of frustrating Brazil in front of a passionate home crowd in Tangier.

Given Brazil's strength in depth, it will be difficult for the hosts to claim a famous win over Selecao, but the Atlas Lions have more than enough talent – and spirit – to earn a draw.

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Top tip

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