Brazil midfielder Casemiro was not at his best against Morocco. Endrick’s inclusion could give the Selecao the cutting edge up front.
| Photo Credit: REUTERS
Brazil enters its second Group C game with many questions to answer, despite avoiding defeat in its opener. The 1-1 draw against Morocco was a reminder that reputation alone will not carry teams through in this World Cup. And for the first time since the quarterfinal defeat to France in 2006, Brazil was outshot in a World Cup match, facing 14 attempts while managing only 12 of its own. It ended a run of 22 consecutive World Cup games in which the Seleçao had enjoyed the advantage, underlining why Carlo Ancelotti may need to bring in wholesale changes.
One area of concern is its midfield, where Casemiro looked short of his usual authority after a long season with Manchester United. At 34, the veteran remains vital for Brazil’s balance, but the tempo of the game often appeared to bypass him against Morocco. Ancelotti must decide whether to persist with experience or inject fresh energy into the centre.
The Brazil coach also has an intriguing choice in attack, where Endrick’s emergence has given the five-time champion another weapon. Against a deeply defensive Haitian side, it could be the ideal occasion to unleash the teenager from the start. Brazil lacked penetration against Morocco, and Endrick’s direct running and instinctive finishing may offer a different solution.
For Haiti, the challenge is of a different magnitude. The Caribbean nation waited 54 years to return to the World Cup after its only previous appearance in West Germany in 1974. Many believed its best chance of reaching the knockout rounds rested on getting something from the opening match against Scotland, but John McGinn’s deflected winner condemned Sebastien Migne’s side to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Yet there were positives. Defender Hannes Delcroix completed all 66 of his passes against Scotland, won possession six times and made six clearances, setting a new benchmark for a Haitian player at the World Cup.
The scale of the challenge, though, remains immense. Brazil sits 80 places above Haiti in the FIFA rankings, the largest gap between any two teams in this year’s group stage. On paper, it is one of the most uneven contests of the tournament. Haiti’s task is to ensure it does not feel that way on the pitch, while for Brazil, a win is a must.
Published – June 18, 2026 09:52 pm IST
