Learn about Carlo Ancelotti’s formation of the national team in the matches against France and Croatia, three months before the 2026 World Cup.
December 6
2025
– 08:15
(Updated at 8:15 a.m.)
Photo: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF – Caption: Vinny Junior receives the tag from four Spanish rivals / Jogada10
Carlo Ancelotti will have the opportunity that every Brazilian coach has been eagerly awaiting: facing top European rivals during the World Cup tournament. Because the 2026 calendar allowed two meetings during the FIFA date in March: France and Croatia, in the United States, one of the host countries for next year’s World Cup (Mexico and Canada are the other hosts). After two years, the Green and Yellow Team finally meets their rivals from the Old Continent.
In March 2024, with Dorival Junior, Brazil beat England 3-2 at an obscure Wembley Stadium. Then he left London and traveled to Madrid and tied 2-2 with Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu. In the following months, the five-time world champions fluctuated until a decline in form led to the sacking of Ancelotti’s predecessor, a year later that week in Europe.
This Friday (5), in Washington, where he was scheduled to follow the World Cup draw, Ancelotti made a brief analysis of the upcoming encounters.
“They will be great competitions against great teams. But with different characteristics. France has great individual values. Exceptional quality. Croatia in turn has a team with great experience. We want to know then where we stand. They will be like thermometers. We will make assessments after the matches to try to address the problems that these matches may highlight,” said Ancelotti.
“This is not the time for tests,” warns Ancelotti
Now, with the Italian captain, Brazil is one step closer to the World Cup. The scenario is therefore very different from recent visits to the UK and the Iberian Peninsula. The Seleção will face France and Croatia with a strong and determined lineup in the hunt for sixth place.
“The two matches in March will be against very strong teams. The list is not final, but we are close to the World Cup. So, this is not a testing time. Then there are two months. And everything can pass, for example, physical fatigue and injuries,” said the multiple champions’ coach of European giants such as Milan, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Brazil is in Group C of the World Cup, along with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti. This Saturday, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) will determine (6) locations and dates for the tournament’s matches.
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