Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti voiced frustration over the short preparation time for his team's World Cup warm-up friendly against France in Foxboro on Thursday. Most players arrived only on Tuesday, limiting training ahead of the match against the World Cup favorites. Key absences plague both sides as they gear up for the summer tournament.
Brazil faces France in an international friendly at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, kicking off at 8pm UK time. The match serves as crucial preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Brazil set to play Croatia next week afterward. Ancelotti highlighted the challenges of fitting national team duties amid club schedules, stating, “Many of us [coaches] regret that there is no time to coach and we have to focus instead on the quality of training, meetings… It’s more quality work than time. The methodology within a training session cannot be missing, that is very important. You have to prepare the training well.” Brazil qualified fifth in Conmebol, 10 points behind Argentina. Ancelotti described France as favorites with dangerous speed across lines, adding, “Playing against France is an important match... We want to demonstrate a good attitude and quality.” Brazil misses Gabriel, Alisson, Alex Sandro and Marquinhos, while France is without William Saliba and Manu Kone. Vinicius Jr., in form with 10 goals and an assist in his last 11 club matches, dismissed external pressure: “I don’t pay much attention to what people say... I’m very happy and calm about the World Cup.” He noted Brazil's stabilizing under Ancelotti despite not being favorites. France aims to honor outgoing coach Didier Deschamps, with Zinedine Zidane reportedly nearing a deal to succeed him. Head-to-head stats show France with five wins to Brazil's four, three draws; Brazil won 3-1 last in 2015.
