Bosnia were the most aggressive European side during qualifying. They committed more fouls (17.7 per game) and collected more yellow cards (28 - 2.62 per game) than any other side, making them an ideal side to back for 2+ cards in their World Cup opener against Canada.

Bosnia picked up 2+ cards in nine of their 10 qualifying matches, with the exception of their win over San Marino. Remarkably, they committed 15+ fouls in 80% of these matches, suggesting that the referee for this game in Facundo Tello will have little choice but to produce a few cautions for Bosnia if they show the same levels of aggression.

Furthermore, Canada have managed to draw 2+ cards from their opponents in eight of their last 10 friendly matches. They don’t have any qualifying data for us to look at as a host nation, but this is a pretty standout record for friendly matches. It’s also a bonus as Bosnia will effectively be acting as the away side in this game with it being in Toronto, giving Canada a significant advantage.

Facundo Tello is quite a card happy referee too, he’s handed out 5+ cards in nine of his 14 appointments this season (64.3%), and has a career card average of 5.05 cautions per game. 

After a tepid qualifying campaign, Brazil have been a whole lot more entertaining in their pre-tournament friendlies, suggesting that Carlo Ancelotti’s side could open up for the tournament proper.

Their last four internationals have produced 18 goals (4.5 per game), with each fixture yielding at least three goals. With Morocco’s five pre-competition warm-ups also all bringing at least 2 goals, this is a fixture that promises excitement.

When these sides last met in 2023, there were 3 goals as Morocco came out on top 2-1.

Morocco have been in strong scoring touch in the lead-up to the World Cup, having netted in each of the five pre-tournament friendly matches they have played.

These included a 1-1 draw against an Ecuador side that qualified ahead of Brazil in their CONMEBOL group. They have scored in 28 of their last 30 recognised FIFA internationals.

Brazil, meanwhile, have conceded 1+ goals in five successive games, plus 10 of their last 11 that have not been played at home.

Morocco averaged a healthy 5.0 shots on target per game in qualifying, mustering at least three efforts on their opponents’ goal in 88% of their matches.

This form has continued into their pre-tournament friendlies, with five shots on target against a strong Norway side after having nine against Madagascar a few days earlier.

Brazil’s defence has not exactly been robust either. They conceded 3.17 shots on target on average, and while this figure is inflated by two games in which they conceded 10, they conceded 3+ in four of their last six outings.

In a recent friendly with Panama, they gave up nine shots on target to their opponents.

Slovak referee Slavko Vincic is in charge of this fixture and is known to be a match official who officiates matches by going to his pocket often.

Across the 26 matches he has overseen this season, he has shown 109 cards at a rate of 4.19 per game. Brazil’s games in qualifying averaged 4.28 cards per game while Morocco’s were only slightly less busy for referees, with 4.00 cards per match.

The Selecao had 78% of their matches hit a minimum of three cards, while that figure rose to 88% with their North African opponents.

Raphinha was eclipsed by only four players when it came to shots on target in CONMEBOL qualifying, with the Barcelona winger mustering 16 efforts at a rate of 1.37 per 90 minutes.

He featured in 13 different matches across the campaign and mustered at least one shot on target in 10 of these. A high shot count has been a feature of his play all season.

He averages 4.24 shots per 90 with Barca, and that has translated into 1.57 shots on target.