Brazil and France, two of the World Cup favourites later this year, continue their preparations with a high-profile friendly in the United States this week. The clash offers both sides an opportunity to fine-tune their squads ahead of the tournament while providing fans a rare glimpse of elite international football in a neutral venue.
With the World Cup less than three months away, Brazil and France—ranked fifth and third in the world respectively—will meet on Thursday at Gillette Stadium near Boston, the home of NFL side New England Patriots. This will mark the first encounter between the nations in 11 years, the last being a March 2015 friendly at the Stade de France where Brazil staged a comeback to win 3-1 with goals from Oscar, Neymar, and Luiz Gustavo.
| Team | Coach | World Ranking | Last Competitive Meeting | Key Absentees | Key Players Present |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Carlo Ancelotti | 5 | 2022 World Cup QF (lost to Croatia) | Neymar, Alisson Becker, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bruno Guimaraes | Vinicius Junior, Rayan (19, uncapped) |
| France | Didier Deschamps | 3 | 2006 World Cup QF (won 1-0 vs Brazil) | William Saliba | Kylian Mbappe, Maxence Lacroix |
Brazil endured a challenging South American qualifying campaign, suffering six defeats in 18 games and finishing fifth. The appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as head coach aims to reinvigorate the squad and guide them towards a record-extending sixth World Cup title—their first since 2002. Neymar, 34, has not featured since October 2023 due to physical concerns, with Ancelotti emphasising that the issue is not technical:
“With the ball he is great, but he needs to improve physically. He is not at 100 percent and needs to continue working to reach that level,” the coach explained.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is leading Brazil’s charge, while uncapped 19-year-old Rayan has impressed for Bournemouth since his January move from Vasco da Gama. Brazil will next face Croatia on 31 March in Orlando, a rematch of their 2022 World Cup quarter-final exit.
For France, attention remains firmly on Kylian Mbappe, who has returned to fitness after a knee injury. The 27-year-old striker confirmed he is ready for international duty and aims to make an impact:
“I hope to be able to play during this international break and start being decisive again,” he said.
Coach Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year tenure will conclude with the World Cup, may soon be succeeded by Zinedine Zidane, according to French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo.
Historically, France last defeated Brazil in a competitive match at the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, with a decisive goal from Thierry Henry and a standout performance from Zidane. Should both sides progress as expected, a World Cup final showdown remains a tantalising possibility. Thursday’s friendly promises to be a revealing indicator of form and fitness for these two football powerhouses.