The 2026 World Cup hasn’t kicked off yet and we already have our first must-watch individual duel. Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s captain and one of the best right-backs on the planet, says he’s ready to defend against Vinícius Júnior when Morocco open their Group C campaign against Brazil on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Why this matchup matters more than most
Hakimi isn’t just some fullback talking a big game before a tournament. He captains a Moroccan side that became the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal, accomplishing the feat at Qatar 2022. Morocco beat Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their way to the final four. In a friendly match in 2023, Morocco defeated Brazil outright. An actual win against a five-time World Cup champion.
Vinícius Júnior has cemented himself as the focal point of Brazil’s attacking strategy heading into the tournament. Reports indicate he has been leading Brazil’s training sessions in the buildup to the World Cup. Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title.
Hakimi is a PSG defender who faces world-class wingers every week in Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Vinícius, meanwhile, has been terrorizing La Liga defenses for Real Madrid for years.
