Match News and Current Form
Shortly after their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 elimination at the hands of Egypt, all eyes for head coach Tony Popovic and his players turn to January’s Asian Cup, where they’ll be attempting to lift the trophy for the first time since 2015. With just four matches to get ready - two at home to Brazil this month and two away in the Middle East in November - it leaves Popovic with little opportunity to tweak. In addition to four forced changes, Popovic omitted seven players from the World Cup squad, headlined by former captain and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, as the Socceroos seek a sixth consecutive win on home soil.
Brazil last stepped onto Australian soil in 2017 for a series of friendlies against Argentina (L 1-0) and Australia (W 4-0), and now undertake a quiet period before preparing for the 2028 Copa América. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti is contracted through to the end of the 2030 World Cup and turns his attention towards a series of five away friendlies against Asian opposition through to the end of the year, all of which they are expected to win handsomely. That’s no guarantee for a team that has struggled on opposition soil in recent years, winning only four of 15 away matches played since the 2022 World Cup (D4, L7).
Head-to-Head History
Australia’s only win over Brazil came at the 2001 Confederations Cup (1-0), which is still the only goal the Socceroos have ever scored against the Seleção (D1, L6). Brazil’s six H2H wins have come by a combined 21-0 scoreline!
Hot Stats and Streaks
Australia’s last six matches produced under 2.5 total goals.
Eight of Australia’s last 11 friendlies saw only the winning team score.
Five of Brazil’s last six matches produced exactly three goals.
Brazil scored 3+ goals in six of their last nine victories.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Tete Yengi could be handed a start for Australia after contributing to five goals (G4, A1) for Japanese club Machida Zelvia since the World Cup. Brazil’s Raphinha comes into this in flying form with 14 goals in Barcelona’s eight consecutive wins to start 2026/27, but he has blanked in his last nine international appearances.
Australia quartet Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Cristian Volpato and Mohamed Touré are out injured. Brazil’s squad shows wholesale changes from the World Cup with the likes of Matheus Cunha and Alisson not included, while João Pedro is injured.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
With an underwhelming away record and a lot of travel to get to Australia, a Brazil win by a one-goal margin would be far from a surprise.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
