
Brazil and France meet in a friendly for the March international window on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Stick with us for minute-by-minute coverage and don’t miss a single moment of this clash between two of the world’s premier soccer nations in.
With Neymar the most notable absentee, Brazil is using the March window to continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with European-based players now released from their club duties for the break. During the October and November windows, Carlo Ancelotti’s side went 2-1-1, picking up wins over South Korea (5-0) and Senegal (2-0), drawing with Tunisia (1-1) and falling to Japan (3-2), a mixed run of form that now faces a considerably stiffer test.
On the other side, France arrives having topped Group D in UEFA World Cup qualifying with five wins and just one draw, one of the strongest records in the entire European section. With their last defeat coming against Spain in the UEFA Nations League semifinals, a 5-4 loss, Les Bleus are looking to carry their momentum into a marquee matchup against the Canarinha.
80' – Game stopped due to injury (1-2)
Ibanez, who has been shown a yellow card, brought down Theo Hernandez, who remained on the ground for some minutes, causing concern.
78' – GOOOOOOAAAAAAL FOR BRAZIL (1-2)
After controlling a cross amid a series of rebounds, Luiz Henrique delivered a ball into the box for Bremer to meet and pull one back for the Canarinha.
76' – Yellow card for Brazil (0-2)
After giving away the ball, Bremen had to tackle Doue down to avoid another France attack, earning the yellow card.
72' – Yellow card for France (0-2)
After a foul over Joao Pedro, Konate sees the yellow card for France.
71' – Triple substitution in Brazil (0-2)
Ancelotti moves the pieces on the pitch, taking out Wesley, Matheus Cunha, and Andrey Santos, and bringing in Roger Ibanez, Igor Thiago, and Danilo.
70' – Second cooling break (0-2)
The cooling break for the second half is now underway.
66' – More substitutions in France (0-2)
After the goal, Deschamps made two more substitutions: Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitire out, Marcus Thuram and Desire Doue in.
64' – GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL FOR FRANCE!!! (0-2)
After breaking through Brazil's high press, Michael Olise drove forward through the middle of the pitch and slipped the ball through for Hugo Ekitike to extend France's lead to 2-0.
58' – Double substitution in France (0-1)
After the red card, coach Deschamps makes a double substitution: Maxence Lacroix and N'Golo Kante enter the pitch for Ousmane Dembele and Aurelien Tchouameni.
56' – Easy save for Maignan (0-1)
Leo Pereira stood up to take the free kick, that went straight to Maignan's hands.
55' – Red card for France! (0-1)
After VAR review, referee Gonzales decided to rectify his decision and sent Dayot Upamecano off.
52' – Yellow card for France (0-1)
After winning the ball in transition, Wesley was brought down by Upamecano, who was shown a yellow card.
50' – Maignan saves France (0-1)
Once again cutting inside from the right, Luiz Henrique unleashed a shot that Maignan had to parry away to prevent Brazil from drawing level.
48' – Chance missed by Brazil (0-1)
After a bright run from Luiz Henrique, Martinelli controlled the ball on the edge of the box, but his cutback to Vinicius was blocked at the last moment.
45' – First substitution in Brazil (0-1)
Carlo Ancelotti makes the first substitution of the game: Luiz Enrique in, Raphinha out.
Second half underway!
American referee Gonzalez blows his whistle, and the second half between Brazil and France is underway.
Halftime!
France is leading 1-0 against Brazil at the Gillette Stadium.
45' – Three more minutes (0-1)
Three minutes have been given of extra time.
43' – Another shot from Mbappe (0-1)
After a switch of play from right to left, Mbappe received the ball on the left flank and tried a curled effort toward the far post, but the ball sailed well over the crossbar.
38' – Second yellow card for Brazil (0-1)
After protesting over a corner kick to the referee, Casemiro sees the yellow card.
37' – Mbappe's shot goes wide (0-1)
Tchouameni played a great through ball into the box, and Mbappe's driven cross-shot went inches wide of Ederson's goal.
34' – Hernandez shots wide (0-1)
After a great build-up play, Theo Hernandez got in an attacking position, unleashing a shot that went far wide the goal.
32' – GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL FOR FRANCE!!! (0-1)
After Thchouameni recovered the ball on the middle of the pitch, Dembele played a great through pass for Mbappe to attack the space behind the defender, and with a chipped shot, the striker scored the opening goal of the game.
29' – First yellow card of the game (0-0)
After a sliding tackle over Michael Olise, Leo Pereiea sees the first yellow card of the game.
27' – Brazil gets close to the opener (0-0)
After recovering the ball high up the pitch, Gabriel Martinelli unleashed a left-footed strike that went close to the post.
25' – Game resumes (0-0)
After the cooling break, the game resumes at the Gillette Stadium.
62' – Substitution in Brazil (0-2)
Gabriel Martinelli comes out the pitch, leaving his place to Joao Pedro.
23' – Cooling break (0-0)
As it'll happen during the 2026 World Cup, the game is stopped 3 minutes due to a cooling break.
20' – France still controlling the ball with no real threat (0-0)
With Ancelotti's Brazil on a defensive stance, France is leading the possession with 70%, but are yet to register a single shot on taregt.
14' – France defuse another attack from Brazil (0-0)
Sitting deep in their own half, Brazil are relying heavily on long balls, with the France defense just clearing a cross from Raphinha.
8' – Back-to-back chances for France and Brazil (0-0)
France and Brazil tested each other on the counter, but both defenses were quick to recover and snuff out the danger.
5' – Raphinha gets the first chance of the game (0-0)
While France started dominating the possession, Brazil played a long ball for Raphinha to unleash a volley that went far up the goal.
Kickoff!
Referee Guido Gonzales Jr. blows the whistle, and the friendly game between Brazil and France is underway.
Head-to-head between France and Brazil
France and Brazil rank among the most dominant nations in soccer over the past several decades, and while the Canarinha hold five World Cup titles to Les Bleus' two, their head-to-head record is remarkably balanced.
In 15 meetings, Brazil and France have won six times each, with three matches ending in a draw. Thursday's clash will be the 16th meeting between the two sides, making Brazil the non-European nation France has faced most often in their history.
France's confirmed XI
Didier Deschamps has confirmed the players to face Brazil from the start (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Hugo Ekitike; Kylian Mbappe.
Didier Deschamps looking for his first win against Brazil as a coach
Didier Deschamps was part of France's triumphant 1998 World Cup squad that beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. As a manager, however, getting the better of the Canarinha has proven to be a far more elusive proposition.
Since taking charge of France in 2012, Deschamps has faced Brazil twice, losing both times in friendly matches. The first came in 2013, when Brazil won 3-0 in Porto Alegre, followed by a 3-1 defeat at the Stade de France in 2015.
Where are Brazil and France playing?
Thursday's match between Brazil and France will take place at the Gillette Stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. With a capacity for approximately 65,878 spectators (for major events), the venue will host numerous games during the 2026 World Cup, where it will be temporarily renamed Boston Stadium.
Kylian Mbappe backs Neymar's presence in the 2026 World Cup
One of the most talked-about storylines surrounding the Brazil national team has been Neymar's omission from the March roster, with many viewing it as one of his last opportunities to impress Carlo Ancelotti and earn a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Now working his way back to fitness at Santos, Neymar has drawn support from an unlikely corner, with Kylian Mbappe stating that he "doesn't see a World Cup without Neymar."
Brazil's starting lineup confirmed!
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the eleven players that'll be starting the game against France (4-2-4): Ederson; Wesley, Bremer, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Andrey Santos; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli.
Kickoff time and how to watch
Brazil and France will face off at 4:00 PM (ET).
You can watch the World Cup qualifiers live on Fubo.
Brazil and France face off in the USA for a friendly
Welcome to our live blog for the match between Brazil and France in an international friendly in the USA. Stay tuned for key updates and live minute-by-minute coverage!
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