Neymar, Paquetá, Brazil's 1,000th game, meet MetLife

MetLife Stadium hosts Brazil’s World Cup opener and will stage the finalCredits: Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Brazil’s National Team begins its 2026 World Cup journey this Saturday (13) against Morocco, in a stadium that has hosted important moments in its history: MetLife Stadium. The venue in New Jersey will see Brazil play there for the sixth time and welcomes the Seleção back after about eight years.

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Brazil’s last visit came on September 7, 2018, in a 2-0 win over the United States. In the match, won with goals from Roberto Firmino and Neymar, Lucas Paquetá and Richarlison made their debuts for the national team.

Four years earlier, the team beat Ecuador 1-0, with a goal from Willian, in the first call-up after the 2014 World Cup.

Casemiro celebrates Roberto Firmino’s goal in the 2-0 win over the United States on September 7, 2018, at MetLife StadiumCredits: Lucas Figueiredo/CBF

Neymar’s debut

On August 10, 2010, against the home team, Neymar played his first match for the Seleção and scored the first of his 79 goals in Brazil’s iconic shirt, a tally that crowns him as Brazil’s top scorer in matches against national teams. Brazil won 2-0 — Alexandre Pato scored the other goal.

In the 2-0 win over the United States on August 10, 2010, Neymar made his debut and scored his first goal for Brazil’s National TeamCredits: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

1,000th match

MetLife Stadium hosted the 1,000th match in the history of Brazil’s National Team. It came on November 14, 2012, in a 1-1 draw with Colombia. Neymar found the net.

World Cup at MetLife

At this World Cup, it will host eight matches, the same number as SoFi Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the venues in Los Angeles and Atlanta, respectively — only AT&T Stadium in Dallas will host nine games. In the knockout stage, it will stage one Round of 32 match, another in the Round of 16, and the final on July 19.

MetLife Stadium hosted the 1,000th match in the history of Brazil’s National Team: Brazil 1-1 Colombia, on November 14, 2012Credits: Mowa Press

Host of other competitions

Last year, MetLife hosted the semifinals and the final of the Club World Cup. In total, nine matches were played there in the tournament’s inaugural edition, including games involving Brazilian clubs Fluminense and Palmeiras.

The 2016 and 2024 Copa América also included MetLife as one of the selected stadiums. In the first, it hosted the final between Chile and Argentina, as well as one group-stage match and one quarterfinal. In the second, it also hosted three matches: two in the group stage and the semifinal between Argentina and Canada.

Lucas Paquetá made his debut for Brazil’s National Team at MetLife Stadium in a 2-0 win over the United States on September 7, 2018Credits: Lucas Figueiredo/CBF

About MetLife Stadium

Opened on October 10, 2010, the stadium, which was once called New Meadowlands, is home to the New York Jets and New York Giants, two of the NFL’s 32 teams. It has a capacity of 82,500, the largest in the league.

See all of Brazil’s matches at MetLife Stadium:

1) 08/10/2010 - Brazil 2-0 United States - Neymar and Alexandre Pato - Friendly;

2) 06/09/2012 - Brazil 3-4 Argentina - Rômulo, Oscar and Hulk - Friendly;

3) 11/14/2012 - Brazil 1-1 Colombia - Neymar - Friendly;

4) 09/09/2014 - Brazil 1-0 Ecuador - Willian - Friendly;

5) 09/07/2018 - Brazil 2-0 United States - Roberto Firmino and Neymar - Friendly.

Venue for Brazil vs. Morocco, MetLife Stadium hosted the 2025 Club World Cup finalCredits: Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Brazil
FIFA World Cup™
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Lucas Paquetá