Brazil officially call-up Manchester United duo against France and Croatia

International football is beginning to take centre stage once again as national teams prepare for the final phase of their FIFA World Cup preparations.

Several players with connections to Manchester United are expected to feature during the upcoming international break.

Recently, it was confirmed that a number of former United players had been included in national squads across the United Kingdom, highlighting the club’s continued global presence within international football.

Now Brazil have announced their latest squad ahead of two high-profile friendlies later this month.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has officially named his squad for upcoming matches against France and Croatia, which will serve as the final fixtures before the announcement of the country’s official World Cup squad.

The squad announcement was confirmed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), with Ancelotti selecting a 26-player group for the two matches.

Among those included are two players currently representing Manchester United.

Casemiro has once again been selected as part of the squad and remains one of the most experienced members of Brazil’s midfield.

The former Real Madrid star has been a regular presence in the national team setup for over a decade and continues to play a leadership role within the squad.

Joining him in the squad is Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha, who has continued to strengthen his position within Brazil’s attacking options following his recent move to Old Trafford.

Brazil will face France on March 26 at Gillette Stadium in Boston before taking on Croatia on March 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

The two fixtures have been deliberately arranged to provide Brazil with high-level opposition before the World Cup, with France currently ranked among the strongest teams in international football and Croatia continuing to be a consistent presence in major tournaments.

The squad also includes several first-time call-ups, including Leo Pereira, Gabriel Sara, Rayan and Igor Thiago, as Ancelotti continues to assess his options ahead of naming the final World Cup squad.

Players are expected to report for international duty on March 23 before travelling between Orlando and Boston during the international window as preparations intensify.

With the World Cup approaching rapidly, these upcoming fixtures will represent one of the final opportunities for players to impress before the tournament squad is finalised.