By Agência Brasil
With files from Esportes Guru
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Brazil can win all three of its group stage matches in the 2026 World Cup (Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF)
Moments after the 2026 World Cup group stage draw, in early December, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that Brazil will play friendlies against France and Croatia in March.
Those nations represent two recent foes of the Seleção, meaning the Brazilian squad will have to face some trauma before the FIFA tournament.
Croatia knocked out Brazil on penalties in 2022, in the most recent memories Brazilians have of their squad in a men’s World Cup. Brazil conceded in the final moments of a game they were winning 1-0 in a quarterfinal, thanks to Neymar’s extra time goal.
France, on the other hand, eliminated an extremely talented Brazilian side in 2006, as Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry got the best of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Adriano, Kaká, Cafú, Roberto Carlos and more in a 1-0 quarterfinal match.
Egypt is also in the schedule. In February, it was announced that Brazil’s national team would face the North African nation in its final friendly match before the World Cup. The game will be played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, United States, on June 6 — one week before Brazil’s opening match in the tournament.
Brazil and Egypt have faced each other six times in history, with the Brazilian side winning all six encounters.
Brazil’s group stage games are set
The Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to call up a group very similar to the one he will take to the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Brazil’s group stage path at the 2026 World Cup starts on June 13th against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, in the first step for Ancelotti’s side in their quest for a sixth World Cup title.
Brazil returns to the field on June 19th, when they face Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Group stage play concludes for Brazil on June 24th against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
If Brazil advances to the Round of 32, they will face an opponent from Group F, which consists of the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, and the representative from Europe B—who will be either Ukraine, Sweden, Albania, or Poland. That match will be played on June 29th. If Brazil finishes the group stage in first place, they will play in Houston; if they advance in second place, they will play in Monterrey.
Ancelotti stated Brazil can win all three of their first-round matches, a press conference held after the draw. “Brazil’s first game could be against Morocco, Haiti, or Scotland; we have to win. It’s about respecting the opponent and studying the rival well. We can win all three games. Our idea is very clear: we have to be competitive throughout the World Cup,” he said.
“Brazil’s objective is to compete in the final, and to do that, they have to face very strong teams. This could happen in the quarterfinals, in the semifinals. But, in my opinion, it doesn’t change much.”
Ancelotti was also asked about Brazil’s upcoming challenges against Croatia and France. “I believe it will be a good test. We will face world-class teams with different characteristics. France has extraordinary individual quality, while Croatia has a very experienced team. We want to know where we stand.”