Brazil vs France
World Cup fever is about to spread across North America this week when Brazil and France come face to face in an International Friendly at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday.
USA based fans will get a glimpse of the stellar talent that the Selecao and Les Bleus posses and, while the likes of Italy, Poland and Sweden are embroiled in World Cup play-offs, Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Deschamps will be able to put some final touches to their squads in preparation for the global showcase, which kicks off in two and a half months time.
The latest World Cup 2026 betting odds rate Brazil and France in the top five contenders; so the fans in Massachusetts may just be seeing a preview of the 2026 World Cup final. And both teams will be keen to lay down a marker against a direct rival and gain a psychological edge before the serious business begins.
Talking Points
Vinicius is on fire
Brazil boss Ancelotti has picked a very strong squad to face France, and the man who has been in all the news recently, Vinicius Junior, will surely be ready to take centre stage again when the Selecao confront Les Bleus. The Real Madrid star scored twice in Real Madrid’s stunning Champions League victory over Manchester City last week and he was at the centre of the Madrid Derby at the weekend. Vinicius scored two goals in a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid which kept Los Blancos within four points of leaders Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table. The 25-year-old is in the form of his life and, if Vinicius does continue to progress on the field, and stay focused, he could be one of the players of the tournament in North America this summer.
Another player sure to make his fair share of World Cup 2026 highlights is Barcelona winger Raphinha, who was simply outstanding in Barcelona’s 7-2 destruction of Newcastle United last week and, after his record-breaking season last term the former Leeds United man is back to his best after suffering injury earlier this season.
Ancelotti has an embarrassment of riches in his attacking unit, despite the absence of the injured Rodrygo. In Brentford’s Igor Thaigo and Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, he has the second and fourth-top-scoring players in the Premier League. And, at the other end of the pitch, two of the English League’s finest, Liverpool keeper Alisson and Arsenal centre back Gabriel Magalhaes will be tasked with keeping the French attack quiet.
Mbappe to lead France
The Brazil back line will certainly have its work cut out on Thursday as France talisman Kylian Mbappe has recovered his fitness in time to lead Les Bleus into battle in Boston. He has only just returned to action after suffering a knee injury, missing five league games recently; but Mbappe is still leading the race for the La Liga Golden Boot, with 23 goals and four assists.
He came off the bench during Los Blancos’ win over Manchester City and, again, midway through the second half of the Madrid Derby and Mbappe’s pace and goal threat will make France one of the most dangerous sides in the States this summer. Sky Blues fans will not be surprised to see that Rayan Cherki is in Deschamps’ group; he has been superb at the Eitihad this term and his trickery and distribution skills are a joy to watch when he is on song. But there will be no appearance from Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, after he picked up an injury during Liverpool’s loss to Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday. Paris Saint-Germain striker Bradley Barcola is also out with an ankle injury and that may open the door to Randal Kolo Muani, who scored a goal for Tottenham Hotspur in their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid last week.
History
These two nations are football royalty. Brazil are five times World Champions while Les Bleus have won two world titles… but they don’t meet each other too often.
Both Brazil and France have won three each of their previous eight meetings, though they have not met since 2015, when the Selecao won 3-1 in France, and Brazil also came out on top in 2013 with a 3-0 win on home soil.
In terms of recent form Brazil have won four, drawn one and lost two of their last seven games; meanwhile France have won six and drawn one of their last seven, last losing to Spain in a Nations League semi-final back in June.
Betting Tip
France are the favourites, at SBOTOP odds of 2.28, to win this clash with Brazil at a price of 2.75 and, while this is a friendly, there will be plenty of intent on both sides and I can see them cancelling each out. For an alternative bet, a correct score of 1-1 is available at odds of 6.95.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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