Brazil vs Haiti Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Brazil started their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in fairly unconvincing fashion as they now take on the minnows, Haiti, in their second game in Group C in Philadelphia.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Brazil preview: A difficult start
Having taken charge of five-time world champions Brazil last summer, Carlo Ancelotti has experienced a mixed time of it in charge of the Selecao and an up-and-down reign was represented quite nicely in the 90 minutes of their opening game against African champions Morocco last week.
In the opening exchanges in New York/New Jersey, Morocco were much the better team and should have had a heftier lead than the one goal that they had earned via Bayern Munich-bound Ismael Saibari. Vinicius Junior produced a moment of magic to equalise for Ancelotti’s South Americans before they then tweaked things in the second-half to steady themselves and perhaps look the stronger of the two sides in the closing moments of the game.
Haiti preview: Competitive but beaten
Having qualified for a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974, despite not being able to play any of their qualifying games at home due to an ongoing civil war and manager Sebastien Migne having not ever stepped foot in the country, Haiti were worthy opponents to Scotland in their opening game in what is an extremely tough group.
Early on, Scotland had much the better of it and John McGinn’s deflected strike gave the Scots a lead mid-way through the first half. However, that was all The Tartan Army could manage and Haiti finished the game very well, going close to an equaliser via the experienced Frantzdy Pierrot, who headed narrowly wide in Boston.
Brazil team news: Surprise decisions
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
In their opening game, Carlo Ancelotti made a couple of surprise picks at full-back with Roger Ibanez and Douglas Santos preferred. The former was replaced at half-time and may well now drop out for Danilo, while the latter is expected to remain ahead of Alex Sandro.
Casemiro was also replaced at half-time after a difficult first half but it would be a surprise if the midfielder was replaced by another veteran defensive midfielder in Fabinho from the start. Igor Thiago didn't perform well against Morocco and Matheus Cunha may well come into the eleven.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Paqueta, Raphinha, Vinicius; Cunha
Unavailable: Neymar (Fitness)
Questionable:
Haiti team news: Possible changes
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
Haiti went into the opening game with a fully-fit squad after the late withdrawal of Leverton Pierre, who was key in qualification but wasn't expected to start in the FIFA World Cup.
Louicius Deedson got the nod ahead of Auxerre attacker Josue Casimir but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him come in on the right, while Duckens Nazon will be pushing for a start ahead of the aforementioned Pierrot.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Placide; Arcus, Ade, Delcroix, Experience; Casimir, Bellegarde, Jean Jacques, Providence; Nazon, Isidor
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Brazil’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Gabriel Magalhaes ($5.5m) – Defender
Raphinha ($5.5m) – Midfielder
Vinicius Junior ($10.0m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Vinicius Junior
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Raphinha, Igor Thiago
Free kicks: Raphinha
Corners: Bruno Guimaraes
Haiti’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ($4.7m) – Midfielder
Wilson Isidor ($5.0m) – Forward
Ruben Providence ($4.0m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Wilson Isidor
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Duckens Nazon, Wilson Isidor
Free kicks: Louicius Deedson, Duckens Nazon
Corners: Louicius Deedson, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Key stats
- Brazil have won all three meetings between the teams. The most recent encounter was a 7-1 victory in Orlando in the 2016 Copa América Centenario – their only competitive fixture.
- Brazil have won eight and drawn one of their nine FIFA World Cup matches against Concacaf opponents, scoring 22 goals, conceding only two, and keeping eight clean sheets.
- Brazil have scored 238 FIFA World Cup goals — just one behind Germany, who set a new record in their opening match. The South Americans could reclaim top spot in this fixture.
- Brazil are unbeaten in their eight FIFA World Cup matches in the USA (W5 D3).
- Haiti have lost their previous four FIFA World Cup matches.
- This is Haiti’s second FIFA World Cup match against a South American team having previously faced Argentina in their debut campaign in 1974 (L 1-4).
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Brazil vs Haiti prediction
Haiti showed some attacking intent in their pre-tournament friendlies, most notably in their 4-0 hammering of New Zealand whereby they pressed intensely with their aggressive and quite attacking system and style, emboldened by the emergence of Wilson Isidor who switched his international allegiance from France. That means they do carry some potency in the final third, albeit still limited in terms of quality, as was shown in their opener against the Scots the other day.
Brazil were unconvincing in their opener but, as was the case with that Vinicius goal, the sheer level of quality that they still possess keeps them a major threat, and a fairly high-scoring victory for the giants of international football would appear quite likely in Pennsylvania.
Brazil vs Haiti betting tip: Brazil to win & over 2.5 goals
