World Cup 2026 Day Three: Brazil vs Morocco headline thrilling slate

Day three of the 2026 World Cup takes place today (June 13) with four group-stage matches, headlined by the Brazil-Morocco showdown.

According to the schedule, Qatar faces Switzerland at BC Place in Vancouver at 12:00 local time (19:00 GMT). Next, Brazil meets Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in Group C, kicking off at 18:00 local (22:00 GMT).

Closing out the day, Haiti takes on Scotland at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at 20:00 local (01:00 GMT June 14). Australia and Turkey begin Group D at Lumen Field in Seattle at 21:00 local (04:00 GMT June 14).

Historically, Brazil and Morocco have met only once at a World Cup (1998), with Brazil winning. However, Morocco avenged that defeat with a 2-1 friendly victory in 2023. Brazil has won seven of eight World Cup matches against African opponents, losing only to Cameroon in 2022. The five-time world champions have not lifted the trophy since 2002 and have typically exited in the quarterfinals, except for a semifinal run in 2014.

Opta simulations give Brazil a 57.7% chance of winning, 23.5% for a draw, and 18.8% for Morocco. The winner will gain a significant advantage in the race for top spot in Group C.

In other matches, Qatar and Switzerland have met only once before, with Qatar winning 1-0 in a 2018 friendly thanks to a late goal from Akram Afif. Of Qatar's players from that match, nine are still in the 2026 squad, while Switzerland has seven, including Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler. Opta rates Switzerland as the clear favorite with a 76% chance of winning, Qatar just 9.1%, and a draw at 14.9%. A point would likely be considered a success for the Gulf side.

Australia and Turkey have met twice before (friendly matches in 2004), with Turkey winning both. Turkey also won all four World Cup games against Asian opponents. Opta simulations give Turkey a 55.3% chance of winning, Australia 20.5%, and a draw 24.1%. Neither team has good records in opening matches: Turkey lost both of its openers, while Australia lost five of six.

The Haiti vs Scotland match marks the first meeting between the two teams. Haiti is facing a team from the British Isles for the first time. According to Opta, Scotland is the clear favorite with a 59% chance of winning, Haiti 19.2%, and a draw 21.8%.

Off the pitch, the World Cup continues to generate intriguing stories. US President Donald Trump did not attend the USA's opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, despite his recent attendance at major sporting events and a planned UFC event at the White House on Sunday. A White House official said Trump intends to attend the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not watch his team draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina; instead, he was at SoFi Stadium with singer Katy Perry to watch the USA play Paraguay.

Ghana lost midfielder Thomas Partey for their opening match against Panama after Canada denied him entry due to an ongoing trial in the UK on multiple rape charges (which he denies). FIFA confirmed the 32-year-old was not allowed to fly from Rhode Island to Toronto for the match, stressing that the organization is not involved in host country immigration procedures.

In Peru, police attracted attention by dressing as World Cup mascots to carry out a drug raid in Lima. Video released by police shows officers in mascot costumes using sledgehammers to break through iron gates before storming a house, arresting a suspected drug trafficker, and seizing weapons and bags of suspected drugs.