Honestly, if you looked at the South American standings halfway through 2024, you’d have thought the sky was falling in Brasília. Brazil was losing games they had no business losing. Fans were furious. The "joga bonito" spirit felt like a distant memory, buried under a pile of defensive lapses and a weird lack of identity. But fast forward to right now, January 2026, and the vibe around brazil national football team games has completely shifted.
We’re officially in the Carlo Ancelotti era.
It’s kinda wild to think it actually happened after all those "will-he-won't-he" rumors. But the Italian legend is here, and he’s already started molding this squad into something that looks suspiciously like a World Cup favorite again. With the 2026 tournament just months away, every single match is now a massive litmus test for whether Brazil can finally grab that elusive sixth star.
The Road to 2026: A Rollercoaster in the Standings
Let’s be real: the qualifying cycle was a mess early on. Under previous management, Brazil actually slumped to some historic lows, including a painful 4-1 loss to Argentina that basically cost Dorival Júnior his job last March. You don't lose like that to your biggest rivals and keep the keys to the Seleção.
Since Ancelotti took over in May 2025, things have stabilized, but it hasn't been a perfect stroll through the park. Brazil finished the CONMEBOL qualifiers in 5th place. Yeah, 5th.
- Argentina (38 pts)
- Ecuador (29 pts)
- Colombia (28 pts)
- Uruguay (28 pts)
- Brazil (28 pts)
Wait, 5th place for Brazil? Before you panic, remember that the top six qualify directly now. They’re safe. But being level on points with Colombia and Uruguay—and trailing Ecuador—is a reality check. Ancelotti’s first real window saw a 0-0 draw in the thin air of Ecuador and a tight 1-0 win over Paraguay. Then, in September 2025, they smashed Chile 3-0 before a weird 1-0 slip-up against Bolivia in the altitude.
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It’s been inconsistent. But the underlying football? It's getting better. Ancelotti is leaning heavily on his Real Madrid connections, and it shows.
Upcoming Brazil National Football Team Games: The Final Tune-ups
If you’re looking to catch the Seleção before the World Cup kicks off in June, the March window is where the real fireworks are. We aren't talking about easy friendlies against local sides. Brazil is going big.
The "Road to 26" Exhibition Series
On March 26, 2026, Brazil heads to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to face France. This is the big one. It’s a rematch of the June 2024 friendly where France edged them out 2-1. More importantly, it’s a clash of the titans in a stadium that’s actually going to host World Cup games.
Just a few days later, on March 31, they’ve got a date with Croatia. Everyone remembers the 2022 quarter-final heartbreak on penalties. This isn't just a friendly; it’s about exorcising some demons before the big show begins.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
The draw is out, and Brazil finds themselves in Group C. They’ll be based primarily on the East Coast of the U.S. for the opening round, which is great news for fans in New York and Miami.
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- June 13, 2026: Brazil vs. Morocco (MetLife Stadium, NJ)
- June 19, 2026: Brazil vs. Haiti (Lincoln Financial Field, PA)
- June 24, 2026: Brazil vs. Scotland (Hard Rock Stadium, FL)
Morocco is the clear "danger" game here. They’re no longer a surprise package after 2022, and Ancelotti will need his defense sorted by then.
Who’s Actually Starting? The Ancelotti Blueprint
Ancelotti hasn't reinvented the wheel, but he’s definitely changed the tires. He’s brought back a sense of "club atmosphere" to the national team.
Vinicius Jr. is obviously the crown jewel. Under Ancelotti at Madrid, he became the best winger in the world, and now he’s finally reproducing that form for the yellow shirt. But the real surprise has been the resurgence of some veterans and the integration of new blood.
Casemiro is still there, providing that veteran "grinta" in the middle, but he’s now paired with Ederson (the Atalanta one, not the keeper) and Bruno Guimarães. It’s a much more physical midfield than we’ve seen in years.
Up front, keep an eye on Estêvão. The kid from Palmeiras is the "next big thing," and Ancelotti has already given him significant minutes. Then you have Rodrygo and Raphinha fighting for that third spot in the attack. The depth is actually terrifying when you see the names left on the bench.
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Why Recent Results Shouldn't Scare You
People see a 1-1 draw with Tunisia or a loss to Bolivia and start claiming Brazil has "lost their aura." Honestly, that’s just not how international football works in 2026.
Ancelotti is using these brazil national football team games to experiment. He’s looking at Hugo Souza in goal to see if there’s a backup for Alisson. He’s testing Beraldo and Leo Ortiz in defense because Marquinhos can't play forever.
The goal isn't to win every friendly 5-0. The goal is to arrive at MetLife Stadium on June 13 with a starting XI that knows exactly where to stand when the whistle blows. Brazil is playing a more structured, European-style tactical game now, but with that individual Brazilian flair allowed to explode in the final third.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are following the Seleção's progress toward the World Cup, here is what you need to keep your eyes on:
- Monitor the March Friendlies: The games against France and Croatia will reveal Ancelotti’s "A-Team." Pay attention to the full-back positions (Danilo and Alex Sandro are the current starters, but they are aging).
- Tactical Shift: Watch for the "asymmetric 4-3-3." Ancelotti often lets one full-back push high while the other stays back, allowing Vini Jr. to stay isolated 1v1 on the wing. If the opponent doubles up on Vini, the space opens up for Rodrygo or Raphinha on the opposite side.
- Set Piece Vulnerability: Despite the improvement, Brazil still looked shaky on defensive corners in the late 2025 qualifiers. See if they’ve fixed the zonal marking issues in the upcoming March matches.
- Ticketing: If you're in the US, tickets for the France friendly go on sale in mid-January. These will sell out in minutes, so use the official "Road to 26" portal.
Brazil is currently ranked #5 in the FIFA world rankings. They aren't the undisputed kings right now, but they are a team that is finally learning how to win ugly again. And in a tournament like the World Cup, winning ugly is often the only way to get to the final.