Before Australia-Brazil
brazil will begin their post-World Cup rebuild when Carlo Ancelotti faces the side Australia in an international friendly at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday.
The Socceroos are also back in action for the first time since the 2026 World Cup, where they reached the last 16, while Brazil were knocked out in the last 16 by Norway.
Tony Popovic’s side now have their sights set on the 2027 Asian Cup and will use a pair of friendlies against Brazil to assess their options ahead of the tournament.
The first meeting will take place in Townsville, with the teams meeting again at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane four days later.
Australia have been tough to beat at home, going unbeaten in their last seven matches at home and winning six of those matches.
Meanwhile, Brazil go into the match with many questions about Ancelotti.
The five-time world champions were knocked out of the World Cup by Norway in the round of 16, losing 2-1 after being outplayed for long periods.
The defeat ended a seven-game unbeaten run for Brazil, who had won six of those games, and increased the pressure on Ancelotti as he tries to build a team capable of challenging for major honors again.
Brazil have won just two of their last eight away games and lost four, which will give Australia some encouragement ahead of Friday’s contest.
Australia-Brazil team news
Australia have named a 26-man youth squad for the two matches against Brazil, with seven players in line to make their international debuts.
Veteran goalkeeper Mat Ryan has been ruled out after losing his starting place during the World Cup, with Patrick Beach among the options to replace him.
Brazil did not select Alisson for this international window, with Hugo Souza in contention to start between the posts.
Ancelotti could use the game to give valuable minutes to some of his younger players, including Endrick.
Bruno Guimaraes is expected to feature in midfield, potentially alongside Manchester United’s Andrey Santos, while Raphinha and Vinicius Junior could lead the attack.
Line-ups expected for Australia-Brazil
Australia: Beach; Searches, Souttar, Herrington; Bos, Irvine, O’Neill, Behich; Touré, Metcalfe; Irankunda
Brazil: Souza; Danilo, Marquinhos, Magalhaes, D Santos; Endrick, Guimaraes, A Santos, Lino; RRAPHINHA, Vinicius Junior.
How to watch Australia vs Brazil: TV channel, streaming online
Australia v Brazil kicks off at 11:00 BST on Friday 25 September, with the match taking place at 20:00 local time in Townsville.
There are currently no confirmed UK TV or streaming broadcasters listed for the event. The Socceroos’ official website says international viewers should check their local guides.
In Australia, the match will be shown live and free-to-air on Network 10 and 10 Streaming, while it will also be available to stream on Paramount+.
Australia v Brazil stats and recent form
- Australia have won six of their last seven matches at home, remaining unbeaten throughout that run.
- Australia have lost three of their last six matches and have scored just four goals in those matches.
- Brazil’s loss to Norway ended a seven-match unbeaten run.
- Brazil have won just two of their last eight away games and lost four.
- Brazil have won seven of their previous nine ‘A’ internationals against Australia.
- Australia’s only win over Brazil came at the 2001 Confederations Cup, a 1–0 victory in the third-place playoff.
- The two nations last met in 2017, when Brazil won 4-0 in Melbourne.
prediction
Australia’s strong home record should make this a competitive contest, especially with Popovic able to assess a number of younger players.
However, Brazil have far more experience at the top level and should have enough attacking quality to make a difference, even if Ancelotti’s side are still searching for their best form.
Prediction: Australia 1-3 Brazil
