Expected to win 6th World Cup title, Brazil coach faces more pressure than nation's president

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Alisson Becker feels for Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian expected to bring Brazil a record sixth World Cup title.

“His position perhaps has more pressure than being the president of the country,” the Seleção's top goalkeeper said.

Brazil is unbeaten in 20 World Cup openers since 1934, winning 17 going into Saturday night's match against African champion Morocco.

Having conquered the globe with Pelé, samba soccer and canary yellow jerseys, Brazil was once the nation others emulated.

No more. Brazil hasn’t won the title since 2002 and has moved past the quarterfinals just once since, a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semis on home soil in Belo Horizonte.

“We're here to try to change history, try to put Brazil back to where it never should have left, which is at the top,” striker Vinícius Júnior said Friday through an interpreter. “We are at the same level as the other major teams.”

Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semis, losing 2-0 to France four years ago. The Atlas Lions won their continent's title controversially in January — they lost 1-0 to Senegal but were awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory because the Lions of Teranga left the field for 15 minutes during stoppage time in protest of a penalty kick awarded to their opponent.

Brazil is ranked sixth in the world and Morocco seventh.

“In modern football, there is no — how we say? — small-time team,” Ancelotti said through an interpreter. “They are definitely up to the task.”

In their one World Cup meeting, Brazil won 3-0 in the 1998 group stage behind goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.

“We all respect Brazil. Some people say it’s not the Brazil of before. Well, it’s still Brazil,” Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi said through an interpreter. “They're passionate. They love football. They have great qualities. They really want to win this World Cup.”

En route to the title during the 1994 World Cup in U.S., Brazil became famous for the baby-rocking goal celebration by Bebeto, joined by teammates Romário and Mazinho.

Ancelotti wouldn't mind more prancing.

“It's not banned to dance in the new regulations of FIFA. This is not forbidden,” he said. “They want to optimize the time of play, but you can still celebrate and dance.”

Brazilian fans don't anticipate a title. Some expect one and others demand it.

“We have a possibility to compete to win,” Ancelotti said, switching to English. “We have a good feeling.”

Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian to coach the team at a World Cup, took over in May 2025 from Dorival Júnior. He has win a record five Champions League titles leading AC Milan and Real Madrid, and he is the only coach to win championships in all five major European leagues.

“I respect him very much. I’ve read all his books,” Hakimi said playfully. “Maybe I’ll have an advantage over him. I know all his secrets.”

A temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 Celsius) is forecast for kickoff at MetLife Stadium, site of the final on July 19.

“We are used to the heat. We’re Africans,” Hakimi said.

Hakimi and Brazil captain Marquinhos are Paris Saint-Germain teammates and on May 30 they helped their club win a second straight Champions League title.

Hakimi said he took two days off before starting World Cup preparations.

“When we play together at PSG we have a good laugh and we said on the (World Cup) pitch we’re not teammates,” Hakimi said. “We will talk, of course, but we each want to win and may the best win.”

Picked for his fourth World Cup at age 34, Neymar is still recovering from a torn right calf and Ancelotti said the nation's career leader with 79 goals won't be ready to play Saturday.

“We hope that he can be back in full training next week,” Ancelotti said. “When we called up Neymar we didn’t only call him up for his footballing qualities, which are undoubted, but also for his experience, because he can be an example for the young players that we have in the squad.”

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Brazil's Vinicius Junior controls the ball during a friendly soccer match against Panama in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

Brazilian national soccer team coach Carlo Ancelotti arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, June 2, 2026, as the team arrives ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Folarin Balogun could have played for any one of three countries. He chose the United States, and it paid off with a splashy World Cup debut on home soil.

The 24-year-old striker scored two goals as the Americans opened with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night in front of a rabid and star-studded red, white and blue-clad sold-out crowd of 70,492 at SoFi Stadium.

“I visualized my debut in the World Cup scoring, but the reality did surpass that,” Balogun said. “A very dreamy night.”

With retired England captain David Beckham looking on, Balogun became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930. Back then, Bert Patenaude scored all three goals in a 3-0 U.S. win over Paraguay, the first hat trick in World Cup history.

“The kid’s insane,” teammate Christian Pulisic said. “He’s lethal right now. We’re really lucky to have him.”

Balogun was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to Nigerian parents. A month later, he moved to England, where he grew up in London. He joined Arsenal's academy at age 8. He represented England at the youth level and also played for the U.S. under-18 team.

England's roster is traditionally filled with stars. Nigeria failed to qualify for this World Cup. So Balogun is making himself an American household name during this summer of soccer.

“Everyone will look at the goals,” Pulisic said, “but the way he’s fighting against these center backs, holding up the ball, getting fouls, I really like it.”

Balogun committed to play for the U.S. three years ago.

“I've always said the fans gave me so much motivation and showed me so much support. The most important thing has always been to be able to repay that,” he said. “I just want to continue to show the fans I made the right decision.”

Among the crowd were Balogun's relatives, with extended family watching around the U.S. and in London.

“I was able to spot them out in the crowd, but it was tough because so many fans were wearing red and white,” he said. “I had to sort a lot of tickets, but I’m happy to do it because this is a once in a lifetime occasion and I want everyone to experience it.”

The U.S. took a 1-0 lead on an own goal by Damian Bobadilla.

Balogun extended the lead to 2-0 when Christian Pulisic played the ball into the box to set up Balogun with his 21st career assist. That tied Pulisic for fourth most in U.S. history.

Minutes earlier, Balogun nearly had another goal, but it was called back when the U.S. was offside.

Undeterred, Balogun scored again just before halftime, putting the ball in the upper left corner for a 3-0 lead.

“I’ve not been able to take it all in,” he said.

Balogun was heading back to the team hotel to rest.

“To be honest, I think I’ll just watch some Netflix,” he said, smiling.

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Paraguay during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

United States' Christian Pulisic (10) controls the ball as Paraguay's Andres Cubas (14) defends during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

United States' Folarin Balogun scores his side's second goal against Paraguay during a World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Paraguay with teamate Chris Richards during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

United States' Folarin Balogun, center, celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Paraguay with teamates during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)