Brazil vs France: Schedule, TV Channel, and Team News for FIFA Matchday Friendly

Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts will host an intriguing international friendly on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as Brazil takes on France. The match, serving as crucial preparation for both nations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will be broadcast live on TVRI beginning at 02:30 WIB (Coordinated Universal Time -7 hours). While Les Bleus are expected to field a near-full strength squad led by Kylian Mbappé, Brazil will be without key players Alisson Becker and Gabriel Magalhães due to injury.

This fixture marks the first meeting between Brazil and France since a friendly encounter in 2015, which Brazil won 3-1. However, the context has shifted considerably. France enters the match as one of the favorites for the upcoming World Cup, having topped their qualification group. Brazil, meanwhile, finished fifth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, 10 points behind Argentina, and are under recent management with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, aiming to rebuild momentum.

Team News and Injury Concerns

Brazil’s preparations have been hampered by the absence of several key players. According to reports, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães, and former Juventus star Alex Sandro will all miss the match due to injury. This presents a challenge for Ancelotti as he assesses his squad’s depth and prepares for the demands of the World Cup.

France, too, are dealing with injury concerns, though their situation appears less severe. Bradley Barcola, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, and Manu Kone are all sidelined, but Mbappé is expected to lead the attack. The French squad boasts considerable depth and experience, making them a formidable opponent for any team.

A Look Back: France’s Recent World Cup History

France’s recent World Cup performances have been impressive, reaching the final in both 2018 and 2022. In 2018, they defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final, with goals from Mario Mandzukic (own goal), Antoine Griezmann (penalty), Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappé. Four years later, they fell to Argentina in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Qatar. Didier Deschamps, who is reportedly set to be replaced by Zinedine Zidane after the World Cup, will be looking for a strong send-off.

Brazil’s World Cup journey has been less successful in recent cycles. Despite their rich history and five World Cup titles, they reached only the quarter-finals in both 2018 and 2022. The appointment of Carlo Ancelotti is seen as a significant step towards restoring Brazil’s status as a global powerhouse, and this friendly against France provides a valuable opportunity to test new strategies and build team cohesion.

Predicted Lineups

Based on available information, here are the predicted starting lineups for both teams:

Brazil (4-2-3-1): Ederson, Wesley, Gleison Bremer, Marquinhos, Danilo, Andrey Santos, Casemiro, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior, Joao Pedro.

France (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan, Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Digne, Aurelien Tchouameni, N’golo Kante, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe.

Key Players to Watch

For Brazil, all eyes will be on Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, who have been in excellent form for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. Joao Pedro and Matheus Cunha will also be looking to make an impact. The absence of Alisson Becker places added responsibility on Ederson in goal.

France’s attack will undoubtedly be led by Kylian Mbappé, who recently secured his nation’s place in the 2026 World Cup with a brace against Ukraine. The midfield pairing of Aurelien Tchouameni and N’golo Kanté will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game, while the defensive partnership of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano will be tasked with containing Brazil’s attacking threats.

What’s Next for Both Teams

Following this friendly, both Brazil and France will continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Brazil will face Morocco, Egypt, and Haiti in Group C, while France will compete in Group I alongside Senegal and Norway, plus one team from the play-offs. This match against France provides a stern test for Brazil and a valuable opportunity to gauge their progress under Carlo Ancelotti.

Fans can stay updated on the latest news and developments from both teams through official team websites and reputable sports news outlets. The match on TVRI promises to be a captivating encounter between two of the world’s most talented footballing nations.