THE CONTENDERS - Don’t count out muted Samba football

Brazil’s first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup did not set fans alight, but neither did their qualification campaign. 
Despite a 1-1 draw with top-10 team Morocco, who showed they belong among this year’s contenders, one would be foolhardy to bet against a team with such a rich history and a knack for unearthing otherworldly talent.