Brazil and France will get the opportunity to flex their World Cup muscles in front of an American audience tonight as the two international heavyweights clash in Massachusetts.
Both nations will head to this summer’s tournament among the favourites to bring home the crown, with record-winners Brazil hoping to lift the fabled trophy for the first time since 2002.
That’s despite the Selecao not enjoyed the most fruitful of qualifying campaign, finishing in an underwhelming fifth place in the Conmebal table – 10 points adrift of leaders and World Cup holders Argentina.
Didier Deschamps will therefore be keen for France to make a statement against Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the friendly, who have come out on the losing side against Brazil in their previous two friendlies in 2013 and 2015.
Brazil vs France: A history in pictures
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(DDP/AFP via Getty Images)Chris Wilson26 March 2026 17:57
When is Brazil vs France? Brazil vs France is due to kick off at 8pm GMT (4pm local) on Thursday 26 March at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
How can I watch it?
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast on ITV4 and streamed on ITVX.
Coverage starts at 7:50pm.
Chris Wilson26 March 2026 17:50
Predicted line-upsBrazil XI: Ederson; Wesley, Bremer, Marquinhos, D. Santos; Raphinha, Casemiro, A. Santos, Vinicius Jr; Cunha, Pedro
France XI: Maignan; Gusto, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Cherki, Mbappe; Dembele
Chris Wilson26 March 2026 17:45
Team newsSimilarly, France have lost their key Arsenal defender in William Saliba due to injury, with Jules Kounde also out with a hamstring strain. Captain Kylian Mbappe looks set to be involved.
Chris Wilson26 March 2026 17:40
Team news Arsenal centre back Gabriel Magalhaes withdrew from the squad in a blow for Carlo Ancelotti, while Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is also unavailable. Neymar was not called-up while Igor Thiago will be hoping to obtain his first cap after impressing at Brentford.
Chris Wilson26 March 2026 17:37
Brazil vs France LIVEBrazil take on France in a high-profile friendly in Boston on Thursday – three months out from the 2026 World Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil only finished fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, with Ancelotti joining last summer and replacing Dorival Junior. They will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in their group this summer.
2018 World Cup winners France, and 2022 finalists, breezed to top spot in their qualifying group with Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan. Didier Deschamps’ side will face Norway, Senegal and a play-off side this summer.
The last time these two met was 2015 in a friendly, with Brazil winning 3-1. The 1998 final is, of course, their most memorable meeting, with France winning 3-0.
Chris Wilson26 March 2026 17:32
Good eveningHello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of tonight’s friendly between Brazil and France in Boston.
Two footballing giants face off in a World Cup host city just three months before the tournament kicks off in June, and while both of these sides will harbour hopes of winning the biggest prize in the sport come July, the first task at hand is for their respective managers to decide their squads.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Vinicius Jr could be involved tonight, as a raft of players look to impress Didier Deschamps and Carlo Ancelotti in the last bath of fixtures before the squads are decided.
And we’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the game right here.
Chris Wilson26 March 2026 17:28
