There have been some huge decisions made by Carlo Ancelotti in selecting the Brazil squad for friendlies in March with a major call made on Neymar while injuries disrupted plans at the last moment. The Selecao will play two heavyweight European teams in France and Croatia in the final international break of the season to determine the players making the plane for the 2026 World Cup hosted in Canada, USA and Mexico. Brazil had a shocking qualifying campaign where they finished fifth, their lowest in the history, but still qualified for the showpiece event this summer for a record extending as top six teams from South America qualified directly in the expanded edition.
However, the former Real Madrid boss has steadied the ship a bit since becoming the first manager in the national team history in May last year but endured results like a shocking 1-0 defeat to Bolivia in his third game while also losing to Japan for the first time despite going two goals up. Still, the Selecao improved from then on with a 2-0 victory over Senegal and a draw against Tunisia and will be looking to carry the momentum in March against much tougher oppositions. This period will be crucial for Brazil to know their situation before the global event and make decisions around it. Ancelotti's side are put in a difficult group alongside Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in the tournament.
Brazil Squad for March Friendlies 2026
Goalkeepers: Bento (Al Nassr), Éderson (Fenerbahce), Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
Defenders: Kaiki Bruno (Cruizero), Gleison Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Ibañez (Al-Ahly), Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), João Pedro (Chelsea)
Head Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
The rumour circling around the squad selection of the Brazilian national team was Neymar finally making the roster after three long years following his return from a lengthy injury spell and coming back to form lately. The possibility of his inclusion also increased after Real Madrid winger Rodrygo was ruled out of the World Cup completely with an ACL tear he suffered earlier in March 2026. However, Carlo Ancelotti decided against calling him for the friendlies this month to the frustration of the current Santos player who also came out publicly about it. This decision might not completely rule out Neymar's chances to be at the 2026 World Cup but does put a lot of doubt.
However, Neymar's omission is not the biggest headache for Ancelotti's men are stricken with unfortunate injuries to key players at the last moment after they have been called up to the team. In addition to Rodrygo already out of contention after suffering the season-ending injury, Brazil will also be without Premier League stars Alisson and Gabriel Magalhães despite making the squad list for the friendlies this international break. The Liverpool keeper suffered a muscle injury last week and will be replaced by Corinthians' number one Hugo Souza while the Arsenal center-back picked up a knee issue in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday but no replacement has been called up.
To make matters worse, Alex Sandro has also pulled out of the squad having suffered an injury during a league game for Flamengo at the weekend. Ancelotti was forced to make a late change with Cruizero's Kaiki Bruno taking the former Juventus left-back's place. The 23-year-old earns his first senior call up to the national team and will be hoping to make his senior debut. It is not all doom and gloom for the Selecao as they add new faces called up to the team that is set to give more selection headaches for the Italian manager. One of them is the Premier League's top scorer of the season after Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago who has netted 19 goals in the competition and has been the next revelation from Brentford.
19-year-old Rayan from Bournemouth who entered the spotlight with his excellent performances in his homeland for Vasco da Gama is also lined up to make his senior debut at some point. The same is for Danilo of Botafogo, Leo Pereira of Flamengo and Gabriel Sara, who has been sensational for Galatasaray in midfield this season. Despite being part of the roster in the previous international break, Chelsea's Estevao misses out but his clubmate João Pedro keeps his place in the team. Having not received adequate playing time under Ancelotti during his time at Real Madrid, Endrick earned a call up to the Brazilian squad for the first time since the Italian took charge following a fantastic loan spell with Ligue 1 side Lyon.
Brazil Fixtures for March Friendlies 2026
Friday, 27 March 2026
Brazil vs France - Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts (01:30)
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Brazil vs Croatia - Camping World Stadium, Orlando (5:30)
Brazil will travel to one of the host nations USA for the friendlies to get accustomed to surroundings early. Their opponents are ideal for preparation for the tournament to be held this summer with two-time winners France crossing their path on 27 March 2026 before taking on Croatia on 1 April 2026. Both fixtures give uncomfortable memories for Brazilian fans of World Cup eliminations.
Les Bleus defeated them both times in the last two meetings at the premier competition but they have won the last two friendlies against them with an aggregate score of 6-1. Neymar participated in both of them including scoring in the last as he did against Croatia in the quarterfinal stage of the last World Cup in Qatar. However, Brazil fell to hold on to it as they conceded an equaliser and then lost on penalties to suffer an heartbreaking exit.
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