Brazil to host Panama in final pre-World Cup friendly

Brazil will play its final home match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, hosting Panama in an international friendly at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The match serves as a key preparation fixture for both nations ahead of the tournament, which begins next month.

The Brazilian team, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, enters the contest seeking to build momentum after a period of inconsistent results. Since Ancelotti took charge last year, the team has recorded five wins, two draws, and three defeats, including a recent loss to France. Brazil finished fifth in South American qualifying, though it secured automatic qualification for the expanded World Cup. The team will be without several key players due to injury and club commitments. Star forward Neymar is sidelined with a calf strain and may miss the start of the World Cup. Defenders Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, and Marquinhos are unavailable following their involvement in the UEFA Champions League final.

Panama arrives in better spirits, preparing for only its second World Cup appearance after participating in the 2018 tournament. The Central American nation, drawn into a challenging group with England, Croatia, and...