Brazil's Road to 2026 World Cup: Friendlies Against South Korea and Japan

Selecao to play South Korea and Japan in key World Cup prep matches

Brazil is set to play friendly matches against South Korea and Japan in October as part of their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Get the latest updates on Brazil's World Cup qualifying campaign.

“We understand that facing different soccer styles from around the world will bring valuable experience...”

Brazil is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup with two friendly matches against Asian powerhouses South Korea and Japan. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced that the five-time world champions will face South Korea in Seoul on October 10, followed by Japan in Tokyo on October 14.

These matches are part of Brazil's strategic preparation plan under coach Carlo Ancelotti, who aims to test his team's abilities against diverse soccer styles. After these friendlies, Brazil plans to play against African national teams in November and top-tier European teams in March and June 2026. Having already secured their spot at the World Cup, Brazil will conclude their qualifying campaign next month with matches against Chile and Bolivia.

These international friendlies will provide valuable insights into Brazil's readiness for the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams and be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ancelotti views these matches as crucial evaluation opportunities to better understand his players' characteristics and personalities ahead of the tournament.

Brazil has already secured its spot at the 2026 World Cup and will play Chile and Bolivia in their final two qualifiers next month. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) General Coordinator Rodrigo Caetano revealed that the team will participate in friendly matches as part of their preparation strategy under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“After the friendlies against South Korea and Japan, our plan is to play against African national teams in November and top-tier European teams in March and June of 2026,” Caetano explained, highlighting the importance of these friendlies in their preparation. Ancelotti views these matches as crucial evaluation opportunities to better understand his players' characteristics and personalities ahead of the World Cup.

“We understand that facing different soccer styles from around the world will bring valuable experience and challenges that we might encounter at the World Cup,” he added.

Carlo Ancelotti, the 66-year-old Italian coach, is looking to utilize Brazil's upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan to gain a deeper understanding of his players' characteristics and personalities. These matches, scheduled for October 10 and 14, will serve as a crucial evaluation period ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Ancelotti took the reins of the Brazilian national team in May, following a successful stint at Real Madrid where he worked with players like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo. His tenure with Brazil is expected to be a significant chapter in his career, although there's speculation about his potential return to Real Madrid after the World Cup.

Key Points about Ancelotti's Tenure with Brazil:

Contract Duration: Ancelotti's contract with Brazil is set to expire after the 2026 World Cup.

Potential Return to Real Madrid: There's growing speculation about Ancelotti's possible return to Real Madrid after the World Cup, with some reports suggesting he'll resume his role at the club.

Player Relationships: Ancelotti has worked with several Brazilian players during his time at Real Madrid, including Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, who are expected to play key roles in his Brazilian project.

By playing against diverse teams like South Korea and Japan, Ancelotti aims to assess his players' abilities and personalities, ultimately preparing Brazil for the 2026 World Cup.

🚨OFFICIAL:

The Seleção’s schedule for the October international break 🇧🇷

- Fri Oct 10th vs South Korea 🇰🇷
- Tues Oct 14th vs Japan 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/S4byOBtLVk

— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) August 26, 2025

Preparation Strategy 

Upcoming Friendlies:

• October: Brazil will face South Korea on October 10 in Seoul and Japan on October 14 in Tokyo.
• November: The team plans to play against African national teams.
• March and June 2026: Brazil will face top-tier European teams.