Brasil X Franca: lineups and late withdrawals ahead of Gillette Stadium friendly

Brasil X Franca meet in the first friendly of the March FIFA window, with both teams named and a series of late withdrawals reshaping the Brazilian squad for the match at Gillette Stadium this Thursday at 17: 00 (Brasília).

What are the confirmed lineups?

Carlo Ancelotti’s starting eleven for the match was announced after the latest changes to his roster. The Brazil XI named for the friendly is: Ederson; Wesley, Bremer, Léo Pereira and Douglas Santos; Casemiro and Andrey; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Júnior and Gabriel Martinelli.

The French side set to face Brazil will field Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernández; Ekitiké, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Michael Olise; Ousmane Dembélé and Kyllian Mbappé, under the direction of Didier Deschamps.

What caused the last-minute changes?

Brazil’s squad announced by Carlo Ancelotti last week suffered several last-minute absences. Fullback Alex Sandro, representing Flamengo, was withdrawn after a muscle injury to his thigh sustained in a 1–1 draw with Corinthians in the Campeonato Brasileiro; Kaiki Bruno was called as his replacement. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker was cut after a physical problem while playing for Liverpool; Hugo Souza was selected as the substitute. Defender Gabriel Magalhães, listed with Arsenal, was also removed from the squad after reporting knee pain following the final of the League Cup against Manchester City.

The French side likewise adapted its roster after an injury: William Saliba, associated with Arsenal in the squad list, suffered an issue in the final of the League Cup and was replaced by Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace.

What to watch in Brasil X Franca?

The immediate storyline for Brasil X Franca centers on how the Brazilian coaching staff integrates the late additions into the match plan and how replacements for key positions—most notably in goal and at fullback—perform on a short preparation window. France’s selection presents a forward line led by Kyllian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, with a midfield anchored by Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni and a back line adjusted to recent absences.

• Venue and kickoff: Gillette Stadium, Thursday at 17: 00 (Brasília).
• Brazil notable changes: Alex Sandro out (muscle injury); Kaiki Bruno in. Alisson Becker out (physical issue); Hugo Souza in. Gabriel Magalhães out (knee pain).
• France notable change: William Saliba out (injury); Maxence Lacroix in.

The match offers a compact snapshot of squad depth and immediate contingency management ahead of competitive windows. Coaches on both sides named lineups that reflect recent disruptions at club level, and the game will be watched for how quickly tactical adjustments take hold given the late personnel moves.

For fans and observers, the key details are the confirmed starting elevens and the list of withdrawals and replacements announced in the days leading up to the fixture—facts that will shape team selection and minutes on the pitch in this friendly encounter labeled Brasil X Franca.