The Japan Times - Brazil begin World Cup bid with Morocco draw as Scotland enter the fray

On the first day featuring four matches at the 48-team tournament, Qatar won the first World Cup point in their history when Miro Muheim's own goal earned the 2022 tournament hosts a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Santa Clara.

Later Scotland and their Tartan Army of supporters make their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence as they took on Haiti, who last appeared at a finals in 1974, in Boston.

Australia face Turkey in Vancouver to close out the day.

The meeting of Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City was a clash of the teams ranked sixth and seventh in the world respectively.

Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point.

Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but Saturday's performance suggests there is a lot of work to be done by Carlo Ancelotti's side.

"The first game is always very difficult, but we need to get better," admitted Vinicius.

"We need to do less talking and work harder because the next game will come around fast."

- Vini stunner -

Brazil have turned to the hugely successful Ancelotti in a bid to end the country's title drought. He is the first foreign coach to lead the Selecao at football's biggest tournament.

A fifth-placed finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing the Italian. However, he insists Brazil possess a squad capable of competing with anyone in the competition.

He was without Neymar for Saturday's game, with Brazil's all-time record goalscorer still recovering from a calf injury, having not played for his country since 2023.

Saibari, of PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, made the breakthrough for Morocco when he latched onto a fine pass from Brahim Diaz and beat the advancing Alisson Becker with a clinical chipped finish.

Brazil drew level 11 minutes later through Vinicius, who will have a vital role to play if they are to shine in North America.

The Real Madrid star, winning his 50th cap, received the ball from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the area before cutting back onto his right foot and hammering into the far corner past Yassine Bounou.

- Tartan Army -

Scotland and Haiti were clashing in the same group, with Steve Clarke's side looking to Scott McTominay for inspiration.

The Napoli midfielder has become an icon in Scotland since his stunning goal with an overhead kick in the 4-2 win over Denmark last November which sealed his team's qualification for a first World Cup since 1998.

Haiti are just aiming to do their turmoil-hit country proud.

Earlier, Switzerland had taken the lead against Qatar in California in Group B when Breel Embolo converted a first-half penalty, but Muheim's injury-time own goal secured a share of the spoils.

"I am very proud of the team," said Qatar's Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui.

Australia coach Tony Popovic meanwhile said he was confident his side could "punch above our weight" at the World Cup but the Turks represent a tough early test.

"If you ask every Australian, they expect to be right at the end because we always feel that we can punch above our weight," he said.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Ghana's foreign minister said the country had "dispatched an official note of protest" over Canada's refusal to issue a visa to Thomas Partey and requested the co-host country "reviews its unfortunate decision".

Midfielder Partey is facing trial in the United Kingdom next year on rape charges.

Ghana open their campaign against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.

Y.Kato--JT