13/06/2026 16:03 - Deportes
Estadio del Mundial 2026 con hinchas brasileños celebrando y banderas de Brasil, atmósfera festiva nocturna con luces brillantes
Brazil makes its tournament debut this Saturday, June 13 at 19:00 Argentina time (22:00 GMT) against Morocco at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The Brazilian National Team, now managed by Carlo Ancelotti—the legendary Italian coach who won multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid—features a star-studded attack including Vinicius Jr., Endrick, and Raphinha.
Morocco enters the match with an impressive 28-game unbeaten streak, building on their historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup. Ancelotti, who turned 67 last Wednesday, faces the challenge of returning Brazil to the pinnacle of world football. The multilingual manager spoke five languages during his pre-match press conference and confirmed he is rapidly learning Portuguese.
Context for International Readers: Brazil has won five World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), more than any other nation. Their pursuit of a sixth title ('hexacampeonato' in Portuguese/Spanish) is a national obsession.
At the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States demonstrated they are serious contenders with a dominant victory over Paraguay. Folarin Balogun, a 24-year-old striker who could have played for England or Nigeria, scored twice, becoming the first American player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930.
An own goal by Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla in the 7th minute destabilized the South American side, who never recovered. Giovanni Reyna, son of former US captain Claudio Reyna, sealed the victory with a spectacular goal following a 26-pass sequence that involved goalkeeper Matt Freese.
Paraguay's manager Gustavo Alfaro acknowledged: "They surpassed us in every aspect—tactically, technically, and physically." Meanwhile, US coach Mauricio Pochettino remained cautious: "Nothing is decided yet."
Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez took a crucial step in his recovery: for the first time, he faced shots with regulation balls using his right hand, which is affected by a fractured ring finger. The goalkeeper trained nearly 30 minutes before his teammates at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center in Kansas City.
Who is 'Dibu' Martínez? Emiliano Martínez is Argentina's starting goalkeeper and a national hero after his performances in the 2022 World Cup. His nickname 'Dibu' comes from his childhood love of drawing. He won the Golden Glove in Qatar 2022 and was named FIFA Best Goalkeeper in 2023.
The injury originated during the Europa League final on May 20. An MRI confirmed the formation of a bone callus, creating optimism ahead of Argentina's debut. Nicolás Tagliafico remains doubtful due to a Grade 1 strain in his left calf, while Marcos Senesi was called up to replace Leonardo Balerdi.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been confirmed to officiate Argentina's opening match against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16 at 22:00 Argentina time (01:00 GMT Wednesday) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Marciniak is familiar to Argentine fans: he was the referee in the Qatar 2022 final where Argentina defeated France on penalties. The European referee has extensive experience in high-stakes matches and brings confidence to the Argentine squad.
Why is this significant? In football-obsessed Argentina, the referee for important matches is scrutinized as much as the players. Marciniak is respected for his fair and composed style, which allowed the dramatic 2022 final to flow without controversy.
The England national team suffered a security incident before settling into their base camp in Kansas City. Official match balls and boots were stolen after vehicles transporting equipment to Swope Soccer Village were broken into.
The Kansas City Police Department is investigating the possible theft. The English Football Association confirmed the incident but could not provide further details as the case is in the hands of authorities.
| Time (Argentina/GMT) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 16:00 / 19:00 GMT | Qatar vs Switzerland | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| 19:00 / 22:00 GMT | Brazil vs Morocco | New York New Jersey Stadium |
| 22:00 / 01:00 GMT | Haiti vs Scotland | Boston Stadium |
| 01:00 Sunday / 04:00 GMT | Australia vs Turkey | BC Place Vancouver |
Argentina Time Note: Argentina Standard Time (ART) is UTC-3. To convert to your local timezone, add/subtract accordingly.
The SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles welcomed numerous celebrities for the United States debut. Among the notable attendees were actress Anya Taylor-Joy (known for 'The Queen's Gambit') and entrepreneur Bill Gates. The glamour in the stands rivaled the football displayed by Pochettino's team.
Ahead of Scotland's debut against Haiti, Scottish fans were seen jumping and singing in honor of Diego Armando Maradona. The connection between both fan bases dates back to the 1978 and 1986 World Cups, creating a unique bond at the 2026 World Cup.
The Maradona-Scotland Connection: Argentina defeated Scotland 3-1 in the 1986 World Cup group stage, with Maradona scoring two legendary goals. Despite the loss, Scottish fans admired Maradona's genius and have maintained a friendly relationship with Argentine supporters ever since, even during the intense rivalry with neighboring England.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
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