Two global powerhouses are primed to go head-to-head in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ on Tuesday. Brazil and France will aim to take another step towards the final in Doha, which will staged at the magnificent Khalifa International Stadium on 27 November.
The teams have contested several memorable matches in World Cups across senior and age-group levels over the years and, ahead of their next showdown, FIFA relives six iconic encounters.
1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden™
Brazil 5-2 France | Semi-finals
The legendary Pele set a record which still stands to this day in this barnstorming semi-final. He was aged 17 years and 244 days when he bagged a treble to down France in Solna, and he remains the youngest-ever player to score a senior World Cup hat-trick.
1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™
Brazil 1-1 France (PSO 3-4) | Quarter-finals
This dramatic encounter was settled on penalties after Careca and Michel Platini traded goals in regulation time. Two all-time greats failed to convert in the shootout, with Socrates denied by a stunning Joel Bats save and Platini blazing over. Brazil’s Julio Cesar then struck the post, allowing Luis Fernandez to step up and clinch victory for the French.
1997 FIFA World Youth Championship Malaysia™
France 0-3 Brazil | Group stage
A star-studded France team featuring the likes of Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Nicolas Anelka proved no match for Brazil in this group-stage match at the World Youth Championship (now known as the U-20 World Cup). Strikes from Adailton and Alex, as well as a Mikael Silvestre own goal, secured a comprehensive win for A Seleção.
1998 FIFA World Cup France™
Brazil 0-3 France | Final
The two sides contested the biggest match on planet football in 1998. Zinedine Zidane was the hero for France, scoring two superb headers as France triumphed on home soil. Emmanuel Petit was also on target in the Stade de France showpiece as Les Bleus clinched their first World Cup title in style.
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™
Brazil 0-1 France | Quarter-finals
Zidane’s final hurrah came at the 2006 World Cup and he turned in a spellbinding, virtuoso display as France edged Brazil in the last eight. He played a crucial role in France’s winning goal, curling in a sumptuous free-kick delivery which Henry volleyed home.
2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil™
France 2-3 Brazil | Semi-finals
The teams’ last meeting at an U-17 World Cup was one of the most dramatic matches in the event’s history. The French raced into a two-goal lead to stun the home crowd at Estadio Bezerrao, but Brazil mounted an incredible second-half comeback, which was capped by Lazaro’s fine 89th-minute winner.
