FIFA 2026 World Cup: Ancelotti urges patience after Brazil’s poor start

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has called for patience from fans following the Selecao’s poor start to their FIFA 2026 World Cup campaign.

Brazil opened their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, a result that sparked criticism among supporters. However, Ancelotti insisted that early setbacks do not determine a team’s fate at the World Cup.

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“You don’t win a World Cup based on your first match,” the Italian said after watching his side labour to a draw in New Jersey on Saturday.

The five-time world champions looked in danger of suffering their first opening-match defeat at a World Cup since 1934 after falling behind to Ismael Saibari’s first-half strike.

Vinicius Junior rescued a point with a brilliant equaliser, but Ancelotti acknowledged that the performance fell below expectations.

“I think this was a tough match, especially in the beginning. I think the team was a bit anxious, and nerves were all over the place,” said Ancelotti.

“We didn’t play well, but we cannot lose heart. This is the first match in the World Cup, and we can’t think the team is doing perfectly from the get-go.

“This was the result we had. It wasn’t bad, but we’ll keep building from the second match on. You don’t win a World Cup based on your first match.”

Ancelotti also backed Vinicius to emerge as one of the stars of the tournament and lead Brazil’s attack, even when Neymar returns from the calf injury that has sidelined the country’s all-time leading scorer.

“He did well. He was very dangerous, and I think he has everything in his power to have a great World Cup,” Ancelotti said of the Real Madrid forward.

Vinicius, however, admitted Brazil had made life difficult for themselves with a sluggish start against a fearless Morocco side.

“We started on a really bad note,” the 25-year-old said.

“We conceded that first goal, and after that happens, it’s hard to get it going. It’s the first match, and it’s always hard.

“But we’ve got to improve and continue to grow because the competition is only just starting. This is the World Cup; there are no easy matches.

“But I don’t think there’s a lot to say now. I think we really have to improve.”

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi praised his side’s display after the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists demonstrated once again that they are capable of competing with football’s elite.

“I’m proud of the effort of the team. We drew, but we are happy with our performance. We still have to improve every game, so that is what we’re going to focus on right now,” Hakimi told Fox.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi was pleased with the result but felt his side had done enough to claim all three points.

“It was a good match, it’s a point. We would’ve hoped to have more, but we’ll take the point,” said Ouahbi.

“We’re happy; we’re not sad today, but we would have liked to win.”