Gabriel Magalhaes Debuts for Brazil as World Cup 2026 Action Kicks Off
Published June 14, 2026
Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes made his FIFA World Cup debut for the Seleção, playing the full 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium, a future 2026 World Cup venue.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially began for Brazil with a competitive Group C fixture against Morocco, featuring the debut of Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes. The central defender played the entirety of the match, which concluded in a 1-1 draw at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This stadium is notably slated to host the final of the upcoming 2026 tournament, adding an extra layer of significance to the early proceedings.
Gabriel, partnering with Marquinhos in the heart of Brazil's defense, was part of a Seleção side that had to come from behind. Morocco opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Ismael Saibari, who capitalized on a defensive gap to chip the ball over Alisson. However, Brazil responded before halftime, with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior leveling the score with a powerful strike into the top corner, ensuring the teams went into the break all square.
Despite both nations creating further opportunities in the second half, neither could find a decisive goal, ultimately sharing the points in their opening group stage encounter. Gabriel's full 90-minute performance marks an important milestone for the player and signals the start of what promises to be an engaging tournament for the numerous international players participating. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format across 16 venues, with matches scheduled from June to July 2026.