Key Takeaways
- Four World Cup contenders – Brazil, Colombia, France, and Croatia – will play in a "Road to 26" series of friendlies in the United States
- The series will feature four matches across three cities: Boston, Orlando, and Washington, D.C.
- The matches will take place during the FIFA international window, with the first match on March 26 and the last match on March 31
- Tickets for all four matches will go on sale on January 13 at 10 a.m. ET
Introduction to the Road to 26 Series
The "Road to 26" series is a highly anticipated event that will bring together four World Cup contenders – Brazil, Colombia, France, and Croatia – to play a series of friendlies in the United States. The series is part of the FIFA international window and will feature four matches across three cities: Boston, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. The series is a great opportunity for these teams to test their skills and strategies against top-notch opponents, and for fans to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s best soccer players in action. The series will kick off on March 26 and will conclude on March 31, with tickets for all four matches going on sale on January 13 at 10 a.m. ET.
The Brazil-France Matchup
The first match of the series will feature a highly anticipated showdown between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The match is a rematch of the 1998 World Cup final, which was won by France. The two teams have a long and storied history, and this match promises to be an exciting encounter. Brazil, led by five-time Champions League-winning manager Carlo Ancelotti, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing fifth-place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying. France, on the other hand, will be looking to build on its strong performance in UEFA World Cup qualifying, where it topped its group. The match will also provide a sneak peek at one of France’s World Cup venues, as it will play Norway at Gillette Stadium to close out play in Group I.
The Colombia-Croatia Matchup
The series will continue with a match between Colombia and Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. This will be the first match-up between the two teams, and it promises to be an exciting encounter. Colombia, a dark-horse World Cup contender, will be looking to test its skills against a strong Croatian team that finished third at the 2022 World Cup and runner-up in 2018. Colombia will be led by Bayern Munich star Luis Díaz, who will be looking to make a big impact in the match. The match will be a great opportunity for both teams to gain valuable experience and build momentum ahead of the World Cup.
The Remaining Matches
The series will continue on Sunday, March 29, with Colombia facing France at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. Colombia will be familiar with the venue, having beaten the U.S. there 5-1 ahead of the 2024 Copa América. The match will be a great opportunity for Colombia to test its skills against one of the world’s top teams, and for France to build on its strong performance in UEFA World Cup qualifying. The series will wrap up on Tuesday, March 31, with a match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium. The two countries faced off in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals, where Croatia advanced on penalties. This match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to gain valuable experience and build momentum ahead of the World Cup.
Conclusion
The "Road to 26" series is a highly anticipated event that promises to bring some of the world’s best soccer teams and players to the United States. The series will feature four matches across three cities, with the first match taking place on March 26 and the last match on March 31. With tickets for all four matches going on sale on January 13 at 10 a.m. ET, fans will have a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s best soccer players in action. The series will be a great way to build excitement and anticipation for the World Cup, and will provide valuable experience and momentum for the teams involved.