Craig Burley: Brazil No Longer Intimidate Opponents After 1-1 World Cup Draw With Morocco

Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign began on uncertain footing on June 14 after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their opening Group C encounter, a result that prompted sharp criticism from former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley.

Morocco, competing on one of football’s biggest stages, imposed themselves on Brazil from the first whistle. The Atlas Lions’ attacking intent was rewarded in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari latched onto a clever pass and calmly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Alisson Becker to give Morocco the lead.

Brazil eventually drew level through Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, who cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a powerful strike that gave Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou no opportunity to respond, restoring parity for the Selecao.

Despite the equaliser, the performance did little to impress Burley, who delivered a direct assessment while analysing the match. “Brazil don’t scare anybody,” he said, as reported by ESPN FC on X. He elaborated further, stating: “They have moments of quality, but they don’t frighten you.”

Burley’s remarks reflect a broader conversation around Brazil’s standing in international football. The five-time World Cup winners have not lifted the trophy since 2002, and their performances at recent tournaments — including a quarter-final exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar — have increasingly drawn scrutiny over whether the Selecao can match the expectations that accompany their historic reputation.

Morocco, for their part, arrive at this tournament with considerable momentum. The Atlas Lions made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals — a run that elevated their profile significantly on the world stage. Their performance against Brazil on June 14 demonstrated that their ambitions remain high, with midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi also drawing praise for his display.

Despite the unconvincing start, Brazil’s path through Group C retains a degree of comfort. The Selecao have two remaining fixtures — against Scotland and Haiti — and victories in both would, in all likelihood, be sufficient to secure progression to the knockout rounds.

Morocco’s result means they currently top Group C following the draw, a position that underlines their capacity to compete with the traditional heavyweights of the game. The Atlas Lions’ head coach has already indicated the squad’s ambitions extend beyond the group stage, with reports citing targets that surpass their 2022 semi-final finish.

For Brazil, the immediate priority will be a response in their next fixture. Whether the Selecao can reassert the dominance that Burley suggests they currently lack remains to be seen as the tournament progresses.