International friendlies have seen a decline in prestige, with European club football fans understandably frustrated by FIFA dates interrupting title races. However, these matches hold significance, particularly for Brazil, whose last World Cup victory was over two decades ago. Since then, European teams have ended Brazil's World Cup campaigns, with Europe dominating subsequent tournaments.
Fixing matches against European teams has been a challenge for Brazil, given the lack of competitive meetings outside the World Cup. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated scheduling, with Europe prioritizing its Nations League matches on FIFA dates. Despite these obstacles, a positive development is the increased friendly matches between Europe and South America.
Argentina and Peru are exceptions, with Argentina opting for games in the USA and Peru focusing on team development. The remaining South American teams are either in Europe or facing European opponents, showcasing the growing collaboration between UEFA and CONMEBOL.
Brazil faces England and Spain, aiming to recover from recent World Cup qualification setbacks under new coach Dorival Junior. Chile's new coach, Ricardo Gareca, faces tough tests against Albania and France, while Colombia and Paraguay play Spain, Romania, and Russia, respectively.
Ecuador, with four World Cup appearances, confronts Italy in a friendly, marking their first European opponent since 2014. Venezuela, aiming for their World Cup debut, also plays Italy, highlighting the team's progress and aspirations for the 2026 tournament.
These friendlies offer valuable learning opportunities for South American teams, with Ecuador and Venezuela seeking to make their mark against European powerhouses. Despite the disruption to club football, these matches provide crucial preparation and growth for national teams, emphasizing the significance of the March FIFA dates for South American football.
