World Cup 2026: Hakimi refuses to make Brazil the favorite against Morocco

Africa Today at 18:43

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

On the eve of the highly anticipated clash between Morocco and Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi dismissed any notion of Brazil being favorites. The Atlas Lions' full-back believes that World Cup matches are decided by the smallest details and that both teams have strong arguments in their favor.

"In a World Cup, there are no favorites. We know the quality of the teams—it's a balanced match. We'll see what happens on the pitch. I hope we can make the most of our chances. But I don't think there's a favorite in this game," Hakimi said.

The Moroccan defender did, however, acknowledge Brazil's potential, while also highlighting the strengths of his own squad.

"We know the quality of Brazil. They're all top players, but we also have excellent players. There's a connection between Brazil and Africa. We're ready to put in a great performance. We believe we're going to have a good World Cup," he added.

This eagerly awaited fixture will see two ambitious sides go head-to-head, both determined to keep their World Cup dreams alive.