Brazil have a quality team at their disposal, and they will aim to continue progressing under Carlo Ancelotti in the game vs France on Thursday. The Selecao will be expected to make their mark at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer and perhaps go on to win it.
The South American heavyweights have a rich history in the World Cup, but they have been underwhelming in recent tournaments. They will look to bounce back strongly in the summer. On the other hand, France will look to continue their preparations for the upcoming World Cup with a positive performance.
Les Bleus will be one of the teams to beat this summer. They managed to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup and finished as the runners-up in the 2022 edition. They will look to dominate the tournament once again and perhaps win it.
Brazil are coming into this game against France on the back of a narrow defeat against Bolivia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers back in September. They will look to pick up a win here. On the other hand, Didier Deschamps’s men have won five of the last six matches across all competitions.
Gabriel Magalhaes, Alisson Becker, and left-back Alex Sandro have decided to pull out of the squad. Meanwhile, Neymar has been left out by Carlo Ancelotti.
Brazil will play in a 4-4-2 formation vs France, with Ederson Moraes in goal. Wesley and Douglas Santos will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight defensively and help the team during transitions. Gleison Bremer and Maquinhos will start as the central defenders.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro will provide physicality and defensive cover to the team in the middle of the park. He will look to win the ball back for his side. Andrey Santos will start alongside him and look to add drive and creativity to the team.
Raphinha and Vinicius Junior will start on the flanks, looking to drive the team forward and create opportunities in the final third with their pace, flair and movement.
Matheus Cunha will lead the line for Brazil vs France alongside Joao Pedro. Both players are in impressive form for their respective clubs, and they will look to translate that on the international level now.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Ederson; Wesley, Bremer, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos; Raphinha, Casemiro, Andrey Santos, Vinicius Junior; Cunha, Pedro
William Saliba has pulled out of the squad due to an injury. Manu Kone will miss out as well. Jules Kounde has a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola is another notable absentee from the most recent squad.
France men will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Brazil, with Mike Maignan in goal. Malo Gusto and Theo Hernandez will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. They will protect the central defenders and hit Brazil on the break. Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano will form the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchouameni will look to win the ball back for his team and break up the opposition’s attacking moves from the middle of the park. Adrien Rabiot will add physicality and control alongside him. Rayan Cherki has done quite well for Manchester City, and he will start in the attacking midfield role.
He will look to create opportunities for his teammates with his passing, flair and vision. Cherki will also look to link the midfield with the attack. Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele will add pace, flair, and unpredictability from the flanks. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for France vs Brazil.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Gusto, Konate, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Cherki, Mbappe; Dembele
The France captain is our key player to watch, and he will look to make his mark in the game against Brazil. The Selecao have quality defenders at its disposal, and France will need Mbappe to step up and deliver in the final third.
He will look to get on the sheet and create opportunities for his teammates. The 27-year-old is currently on 55 goals for the national team and will look to break Olivier Giroud’s all-time record of 57 goals soon. This is a golden opportunity for him to take one step closer to the record.
Both teams will be looking for a positive result here, and this is likely to be a close contest. Winning against each other will boost their confidence significantly ahead of a major tournament. However, it could be difficult to separate them.
The two sides are likely to get on the score sheet, and they could end up cancelling each other out. France have picked up three wins from the last six matches against Brazil, and the South Americans have two wins and a draw in that time. Matches between these two teams are quite evenly matched, and this one is likely to end in a stalemate.
