LIVE: Brazil vs France – FIFA World Cup 2026 warm up

Starting XI (4-2-2-2): Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Hugo Ekitike, Michael Olise; Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe

Both sides have elected to go in with a 4-2-2-2.

Starting XI (4-2-2-2): Ederson; Wesley, Bremer, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Andrey Santos; Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli; Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior

There are a few changes from the France side which played Azerbaijan back in November.

Mike Maignan features in goal over Lucas Chevalier. Lucas Hernandez makes way for Dayot Upamecano in defence.

Warren Zaire-Emery and Khephren Thuram miss out in favour of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot in midfield.

Maghnes Akliouche, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Christopher Nkunku also give way for Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.

The last competitive meeting of the teams came at the 2006 World Cup, when France beat Brazil 1-0 in the quarterfinals, thanks to a Thierry Henry goal and a masterful performance by Zidane.

Le 1️⃣1️⃣ tricolore pour défier le Brésil 🇧🇷⚔️
Coup d’envoi à 21h sur @TF1 📺 #BREFRA pic.twitter.com/JsINV1CRNT

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 26, 2026

If both win their groups at the upcoming World Cup as expected, they would not meet each other until the final.

Getting that far is the aim for these sides, and Thursday’s game will be a good gauge of where both stand as the competition approaches.

In the meantime, Brazil’s main man is Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, while others likely to have key roles at the World Cup, such as goalkeeper Alisson Becker, centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, are missing here.

Despite a glittering club career that includes two Champions League triumphs and three La Liga titles, Vinicius has scored eight goals in 45 appearances for the five-time world champions and is determined to turn promise into international silverware with his second World Cup on the horizon.

“I feel more at ease, I’m happier; ⁠and when I’m happier, everyone around me is ⁠happier and more confident too,” Vinicius told reporters.

“I hope that everything I do for Real, I can go on to do ⁠here with the Brazilian national team. That’s my biggest goal. It’s where I’ve always dreamed of being, ⁠and I want to bring great pride ⁠to our country and a lot of joy to our entire nation.”

Among other players to feature is Rayan, the uncapped 19-year-old who earned his place after impressing in the Premier League for Bournemouth since arriving from Vasco da Gama in January.

𝑳𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒍𝒆𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒅 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 🔢👕 pic.twitter.com/v7rZDAPDAr

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) March 26, 2026

Join Michael Olise for the pitch walk 🚶‍♂️👀🌿#BRAFRA

pic.twitter.com/R25mNyTfRJ

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) March 26, 2026

👀 CAMA 🤝 VINI

🇧🇷🇫🇷 #BREFRA pic.twitter.com/Sxj1ldiAWS

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 26, 2026

There are a few changes from the Brazil side which rocked up against Tunisia during their 1-1 draw back in November.

Bento is replaced in goal by Ederson. Bremer, Leo Pereira and Douglas Santos come into the back line in favour of Marquinhos, Eder Militao and Caio Henrique.

Raphinha, Andrey Santos and Gabriel Martinelli come into the midfield on behalf of Estevao, Bruno Guimaraes and Rodrygo.

Dressing room ready. New kit ready. And you? 💙

🇧🇷 Brazil 🆚 France 🇫🇷
⏰ Kick-off at 21:00 pic.twitter.com/9sO88L9s0Q

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) March 26, 2026

BRASIL DEFINIDO! 🇧🇷

Confira os 11 nomes escalados pelo Mister para enfrentar a França nesta quinta (26), às 17h (Brasília).

📺 TV GLOBO / SporTV / GE TV
🏟️ GILETTE STADIUM

VAMOS JUNTOS, VAMOS BRASIL! 🫵 pic.twitter.com/L4OO0Nl8HW

— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) March 26, 2026

The main focus for France, as ever, is Kylian Mbappe, and the national team captain was eager to feature on this trip after overcoming a knee injury to return for Real Madrid just last week.

There had been mounting fears in France that the 27-year-old’s fitness could become a real issue, but he said missing the World Cup or the end of the club season was never a concern.

“It is behind me. I was following a protocol, and I wanted to start playing again gradually. I hope to be able to play during this international break and to start being decisive again,” he said on Monday.

Neymar is now 34 and has not played for his country since October 2023, but his absence from the squad has still been one of the main talking points coming into these matches.

“It is a physical issue, not technical. With the ball, he is great, but he needs to improve physically,” Ancelotti said after being asked about the absence of the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar, now at Santos.

“Because in my eyes and those of my staff, he is not at 100 percent. So he needs to keep working to get back to 100 percent.”

Brazil laboured their way through South American World Cup qualifying with six defeats in 18 games as they finished fifth. Now, they are hoping the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as coach will give them a genuine chance of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup, and first since 2002.

After this match, they will head to Orlando, Florida, for the next friendly on March 31 against Croatia, the team that ousted them from the 2022 World Cup in the quarterfinals.