The days are ticking away until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, and this month head coaches far and wide will take a good look at their squads prior to final selection for the global finals.
Teams with hopes of lifting the trophy on 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium will be in action, with these ten encounters the pick of the bunch.
Australia v Curacao
Tuesday, 31 March
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off times
Willemstad: 05:10
Melbourne: 20:10
The Fred Rutten era for Curaçao begins with a trip to Australia for the FIFA Series 2026™ in which the Blue Wave will take on the Socceroos in their second fixture, following a tussle with China PR. Rutten recently replaced veteran coach Dick Advocaat, who was unable to continue at the helm due to personal reasons, but nearly all the faces that lifted the Caribbean island to a historic World Cup qualification will be on hand.
Tony Popovic will be keen to see which of his Australia players step forward and make an impact. The AFC side have been riddled with injuries, including the likes of attacking players Mohamed Toure, Mathew Leckie and Craig Goodwin, so this test against Curaçao offers an opportunity to experiment with either some untested men up top, or shifting around wide pieces into more of a central role.
Brazil v France
Thursday, 26 March
Boston Stadium, Boston
Kick-off times
Boston: 16:00
Brasilia: 17:00
Paris: 21:00
Two global heavyweights will go head-to-head at the magnificent Boston Stadium, which will host seven World Cup matches.
A galaxy of stars are primed to feature as Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Deschamps tune-up for the global finals. France have been in impressive form and have not tasted defeat since their remarkable 5-4 UEFA Nations League reverse at the hands of Spain in June 2025.
Brazil, in contrast, have had some indifferent recent results. The Seleção have lost to Japan, beaten Senegal and drawn with Tunisia in their past three games. Ancelotti’s side, which will not include Neymar, will be out to generate some much-needed momentum ahead of the World Cup.
Canada v Tunisia
Tuesday, 31 March
Toronto Stadium, Toronto
Kick-off times
Toronto: 19:30
Tunis: 00:30 on Wednesday, 1 April
Canada’s World Cup preparations have been rocked by superstar Alphonso Davies picking up yet another injury this season. The Bayern Munich left-back suffered a right hamstring strain in the UEFA Champions League clash with Atalanta, leaving the field in tears. As such, the March friendlies offer coach Jesse Marsch an opportunity to plan for life without their captain and star player. Norwich City winger Ali Ahmed, in particular, has a chance to show his worth on the left flank. Forward Promise David is also out with a hip injury.
For Tunisia, new coach Sabri Lamouchi will aim to stamp his authority over the team after taking over the Eagles of Carthage in January following the departure of Sami Trabelsi. Changes are expected in both the tactical system and playing personnel after Tunisia were knocked out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in the round of 16.
Colombia v Croatia
Thursday, 26 March
Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Kick-off times
Bogota: 18:30
Orlando: 19:30
Zagreb: 01:30 on Wednesday, 1 April
These two sides will meet for the first time in the land of Disney, with Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo getting a final look at young players, like attacker Camilo Duran, who could potentially land a final roster spot. Lorenzo is not one to make many changes, especially in the lead-up to a World Cup, so any opportunity afforded must be taken.
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic’s squad has kept his core from qualifying intact for these March matches. Both Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol are recovering from surgery but are targeting returns before the global finals. Dalic will want to see against the South Americans which players can fill those midfielder and left-sided defender roles respectively in their absences.
England v Uruguay
Friday, 27 March
Wembley Stadium, London
Kick-off times
Montevideo: 16:45
London: 19:45
A fascinating battle is in store when England host Uruguay at Wembley Stadium. The Three Lions have found their groove under Thomas Tuchel, delivering a series of impressive performances and qualifying for the World Cup with a 100-per-cent record. Tuchel’s squad boasts several elite operators, including captain and star striker Harry Kane.
Uruguay will be aiming to hit back after a shock 5-1 defeat to USA last time out. They will be boosted by the presence of Real Madrid superstar Federico Valverde, one of the most in-form players on the planet.
Mexico v Portugal
Saturday, 28 March
Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City
Kick-off times
Mexico City: 19:00
Lisbon: 02:00 on Sunday, 29 March
The Mexico camp was rocked by the news of goalkeeper Luis Malagon’s injury, meaning the decision for a new No1 will be at the forefront of head coach Javier Aguirre’s mind. Injuries to star striker Santiago Gimenez and midfield teenage sensation Gilberto Mora, each of whom are expected to be back before the World Cup, will also give Aguirre the chance to test depth at those positions against the Portuguese.
The excitement was building in the Mexican capital for the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, but that has been soured by the recent hamstring injury suffered by the veteran superstar, who will not face El Tricolor. Still, the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha will have a chance to light up Mexico City Stadium.
Morocco v Ecuador
Friday, 27 March
Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
Kick-off times
Quito: 15:15
Marrakech: 21:15
Mohamed Ouahbi will take charge of Morocco for the first time after replacing Walid Regragui just four months before the World Cup. History is repeating itself, with Ouahbi stepping up from the under-23 side as Regragui did in August 2022, just three months before Qatar 2022 where the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals. Defender Nayef Aguerd is an injury concern due to a persistent groin problem.
In a match due to be played in front of a 50,000-plus crowd at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, Ecuador will face a tough test in preparation for a World Cup group that includes Côte d’Ivoire, Curaçao and Germany. Coach Sebastian Beccacece will be keen to find more creativity in a largely defensive-minded team.
Netherlands v Norway
Friday, 27 March
Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam
Kick-off times
Amsterdam: 20:45
Oslo: 20:45
Two European sides with big World Cup ambitions will face off in Amsterdam. Towering Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk and deadly Manchester City striker Erling Haaland have had several epic showdowns at club level and will renew that rivalry on the international stage.
Norway enjoyed an exceptional qualification campaign. They won all eight of their matches – including two comprehensive victories over Italy – to secure a World Cup spot for the first time since France 1998. The Netherlands were also impressive in qualifying, recording six wins and two draws from their eight games to book a direct ticket to the global showpiece.
Scotland v Japan
Saturday, 28 March
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Kick-off times
Glasgow: 17:00
Tokyo: 02:00 on Sunday, 29 March
Japan will travel to the UK for a double-header of showdowns against Scotland and England. The Scots – primed to return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence – are first up for Hajime Moriyasu’s men at Hampden Park. Japan go into the game on the back of three straight victories, including a stunning 3-2 win over Brazil. Red-hot striker Ayase Ueda netted the winner in that match and is primed to spearhead the Japan attack; he is the Eredvisie’s top scorer this season with 22 goals.
Scotland’s talisman, meanwhile, is Napoli’s all-action midfielder Scott McTominay. Last time out at Hampden, he scored an extraordinary overhead kick to set his team on their way to a World Cup qualification-clinching win over Denmark.
USA v Belgium
Saturday, 28 March
Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta
Kick-off times
Atlanta: 16:30
Brussels: 22:30
A high-profile fixture that evokes memories of Belgium’s epic 2-1 victory over the Stars and Stripes at Brazil 2014, during which goalkeeper Tim Howard made an incredible 16 saves to earn the nickname ‘The Minister of Defence.’ This time around New York City FC stopper Matt Freese will be looking to nail down the No1 jersey with a strong display of his own. Sergino Dest is out after picking up a hamstring strain, forcing Mauricio Pochettino to look at options at the right back/lright wing-back position.
After being eliminated in the group stage at Qatar 2022, Belgium will be determined to make sure their preparations for this year’s showpiece go smoothly. Veteran Kevin De Bruyne recently returned to Napoli training after suffering a thigh injury and it remains to be seen how much he will play in these friendlies as he returns to full fitness. Fellow midfielder Youri Tielemans will be a notable absentee with an ankle injury.
