Brazil and Croatia Face Off in Orlando Friendly

Ancelotti's side looks to bounce back from recent struggles against the Croatians.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:17pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a soccer match between the national teams of Brazil and Croatia, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the teams' official colors.An artistic interpretation of the high-stakes clash between Brazil and Croatia, two soccer powerhouses seeking to regain their form ahead of major tournaments.Today in Orlando

Brazil's national team is set to take on Croatia in an international friendly match in Orlando, Florida. The Brazilians are looking to rebound after a 2-1 defeat to France last week, which was their second loss in their past six matches. Croatia will provide another tough test for Carlo Ancelotti's squad as they try to regain their form ahead of upcoming competitions.

Why it matters

This friendly between two soccer powerhouses will give both teams a chance to evaluate their squads and strategies before major tournaments later this year. Brazil, in particular, will be eager to show they can still compete at the highest level after their recent uneven performances.

The details

The match will take place at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Brazil will be without star winger Raphinha, who suffered an injury in the loss to France. Croatia will be aiming to build on their strong showing at the last World Cup, where they reached the final before falling to France.

  • The match is scheduled for Friday, March 31, 2026.
  • Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM local time in Orlando.

The players

Brazil

The Brazilian national team, led by manager Carlo Ancelotti, is one of the most successful soccer programs in the world with 5 World Cup titles.

Croatia

The Croatian national team is coming off a strong performance at the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the final before losing to France.

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What they’re saying

“We know Croatia will be a tough opponent, but this is the kind of challenge we need right now to get our team back on track.”

— Carlo Ancelotti, Manager, Brazil National Team

What’s next

The winner of this friendly will gain momentum heading into their next major tournament, with both Brazil and Croatia aiming to make deep runs at the 2026 World Cup.

The takeaway

This high-profile friendly between two soccer giants provides an important test for both teams as they look to fine-tune their squads and strategies ahead of crucial upcoming competitions on the international stage.