Brazil’s schedule for the first international window of the 2026 World Cup cycle has now been confirmed. While the full World Cup fixture list for the five-time champions is still to be announced, Brazil has locked in two high-profile friendly matches against European heavyweights France and Croatia.
Both matches will take place in the United States in March next year. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) sees these games as crucial tests ahead of the global showpiece.
France and Croatia Matches Finalised in the USA
Brazil’s schedule begins with a marquee clash against France in Boston on March 26. Five days later, on March 31, the Selecao will face Croatia in Orlando. During this period, Brazil will base themselves in Orlando, Florida, using the ESPN Complex as its training hub.
For the France encounter, the team will travel to Boston just one day before kickoff and return to Orlando immediately after the match. “These are two top-level matches against elite opponents,” said Rodrigo Cayetano, coordinator of Brazil’s men’s national team.
Final Tests Before World Cup Squad Announcement
The Schedule adjustments were made to ensure adequate recovery time, with the France match moved forward to March 26. This window will be Carlo Ancelotti’s final opportunity to assess players before announcing the World Cup squad in May.
Explaining the choice of opponents, Cayetano added,
“𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑬𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒍.”
Orlando Chosen as Preparation Base
Brazil Schedule planning also includes long-term logistics. The CBF has opted to conduct all preparations for their early 2026 friendlies in Orlando, based on positive experiences during the 2024 Copa América. If they top their World Cup group, they could remain in the United States throughout the tournament, with New York under consideration as a permanent base.
Final approval of the training camp is still pending from FIFA and is expected on January 16. The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with Brazil beginning its campaign on June 13.
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