Brazil, a five-time world champion, is set to finalize its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an international friendly match against Egypt at Huntington Bank Field in Ohio on Saturday evening.
The Selecao comes into this match after defeating Panama at the iconic Maracana Stadium, while Egypt is buoyed by a disciplined win over Russia.
Under the guidance of renowned Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was appointed as Brazil’s first foreign head coach in May 2025, the team is entering a new phase. In a notable decision, the Brazilian Football Confederation gave Ancelotti a contract extension until 2030, prior to his debut World Cup campaign.
There have been some concerns regarding Brazil’s variable performance during qualifying, but they still rank as one of the favorites for the upcoming tournament. After finishing fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying, the team has shown notable attacking prowess in recent friendlies, netting nine goals in wins over Croatia and Panama.
In their last outing, Brazil triumphed 6-2 against Panama, with contributions from six different players, showcasing the team’s depth ahead of their World Cup Group C matches against Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti. The achievement was shared via the team’s official X account.
Egypt is preparing for its fourth World Cup appearance, following a successful CAF qualifying campaign where they secured eight wins and two draws in ten games. Managed by Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs have evolved into a well-structured team that blends a potent attack with strong defensive organization.
The North African side heads into Saturday’s match with an unbeaten streak in their last three friendlies, which includes a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, a scoreless draw against European champions Spain, and a narrow 1-0 win over Russia last Thursday.
Mohamed Salah is anticipated to return to the starting lineup to partner with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush in what is expected to be Egypt’s toughest challenge ahead of the tournament.
Team News
Brazil is still without Neymar, who is recuperating from a calf injury and remains a doubt for the opening match against Morocco. Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Gabriel Martinelli have returned to training and might participate in the match.
Egypt reports no new injuries following their match against Russia. Salah is expected to be in the starting eleven alongside Marmoush, while young talent Hamza Abdelkarim is pushing for more playing time.
Possible Lineups
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Raphinha, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr; Thiago
Egypt possible starting lineup:
El Shenawy; Hany, Fathy, Ibrahim, Fotouh; Lasheen, Ateya; Salah, Ashour, Trezeguet; Marmoush
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | beIN SPORTS |
| Kick-off Time | 23:00 (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball forecasts Brazil 3-1 Egypt
Brazil’s attacking quality and squad strength position them favorably, although Egypt’s solid defense may pose challenges. Nonetheless, Ancelotti’s team is expected to find a way to succeed, particularly with their forward line beginning to click at an opportune time ahead of the World Cup.
