Brazil begin FIFA World Cup bid with Morocco draw as Scotland edge Haiti

NEW YORK: Brazil opened their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco on Saturday, while Scotland marked their first appearance at the tournament in 28 years with a 1-0 win over Haiti.

On the first matchday of the expanded 48-team tournament to feature four games, Qatar also earned the first World Cup point in their history after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. Australia were due to face Turkiye in Vancouver later in the day in Group D, after the United States began that group on Friday with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Brazil held by Morocco

At MetLife Stadium outside New York City, sixth-ranked Brazil and seventh-ranked Morocco met in Group C in one of the standout fixtures of the opening round. Morocco, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, went ahead in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari broke through and finished with a deft scoop.

Brazil responded 11 minutes later through Vinicius Junior, who cut in from the left and struck powerfully to draw his side level. The five-time champions are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last winning the trophy, but their opening display suggested Carlo Ancelotti's team still have work to do.

Ancelotti said Brazil had struggled early in the match. “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.”

Scotland edge Haiti

In the other Group C match, Scotland secured a hard-earned victory over Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston. It was Scotland's first World Cup match since 1998 and Haiti's first appearance at the finals since 1974.

Backed by large numbers of travelling supporters from the Tartan Army, Scotland started strongly in a physical contest. Scott McTominay hit the post in the 17th minute before John McGinn put Steve Clarke's side ahead on 28 minutes, forcing in a deflected effort past Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide.

Scotland could not add to their lead and had to withstand late pressure from a determined Haiti side to take all three points. The win was their first in a World Cup match since the 1990 finals in Italy.

Clarke said the result met the team's immediate objective. “Everyone said it was a must-win game — we won the game,” said Scotland manager Clarke, whose team face Morocco on Friday in their second game.

Qatar claim first World Cup point

Earlier in Santa Clara, California, Switzerland went in front in Group B through a first-half penalty converted by Breel Embolo. But an injury-time own goal by Miro Muheim gave Qatar a 1-1 draw and the first World Cup point in the country's history.

Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui praised his team's approach after the result. “I am very proud of the team,” said Qatar’s Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui. “I told them that even if we hadn’t scored the goal and didn’t draw I would have been proud of the mentality and discipline that they showed today. But fortunately, we scored and that was history.”

Ghana protests visa decision

Separately, Ghana's foreign minister said the country had dispatched an official note of protest over Canada's refusal to issue a visa to Thomas Partey and had asked the co-host nation to review what the minister described as its unfortunate decision. Ghana are due to begin their campaign against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.

Midfielder Partey is facing trial in the United Kingdom next year on rape charges.