The 2026 FIFA World Cup rolls on Sunday with Matchday 3 action across the groups, and Australia’s Socceroos are set for their tournament opener against Turkiye. Before that fixture takes center stage, several other results and storylines have already shaped the early picture, including a shaky start for Brazil and a dramatic late point for Qatar.
Qatar secured their first World Cup point after a 95th-minute equaliser against Switzerland. Brazil drew with Morocco before Haiti plays Scotland in the other Group C clash for the day.
Brazil make shaky start against AFCON champions
Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday as the five-time World Cup winners made an uncertain start to the tournament in New Jersey.
Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point.
Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but this performance suggests there is a lot of work to be done by Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and were among those in attendance at MetLife Stadium.
Brazil have turned to the hugely successful Ancelotti in a bid to end the country’s title drought. He is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at football’s biggest tournament.
A fifth-placed finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti. However, the Italian insists Brazil possess a squad capable of competing with anyone in the expanded 48-team tournament.
He was without Neymar for the start of the competition, with Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer still recovering from a calf injury, having not played for his country since 2023.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi urged his players not to fear Brazil, and his message appeared to resonate as the 2022 semi-finalists started brightly in one of the standout matches of the first round.
After Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened the Brazil goal, Saibari made the breakthrough when he latched onto a fine pass from Brahim Diaz.
The PSV Eindhoven forward raced beyond Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, holding his nerve with a clinical chipped finish over the advancing Alisson Becker.
Brazil drew level 11 minutes later through Vinicius, who will have a vital role to play if Brazil are to shine this summer.
The Real Madrid star received the ball from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the area before cutting back onto his right foot and hammering into the far corner past Yassine Bounou.
It belatedly breathed life into a lacklustre Brazil and Lucas Paqueta saw his acrobatic effort pushed away by Bounou before half-time.
Bounou saved well from Igor Thiago as Brazil caught Morocco napping with a quick throw-in after the break, while Raphinha and Danilo shot right at Bounou as the Selecao pressed for a winner.
Morocco nearly snatched it at the death when Alisson parried a long-range effort from El Aynaoui and had to react sharply to block the follow-up from Chemsdine Talbi.
Brazil next face outsiders Haiti while Morocco take on Scotland in their second match.
Qatar’s 95th-minute equaliser stuns Switzerland
Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi stunned Switzerland with a late equaliser as the hosts fought back for their first point of the tournament. The strike came in the 95th minute and left Switzerland reeling after what had looked like a winning position.
Group C and Matchday 3 schedule
Haiti plays Scotland in the remaining Group C fixture on Matchday 3. Brazil and Morocco will both return to action in their second group games, with Brazil facing Haiti and Morocco meeting Scotland.
UFC Freedom 250 is set for Monday 15 June at 10AM AEST, delivering a landmark night of fights from the White House, with Topuria vs Gaethje leading a stacked card celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
