USWNT set to face world-ranked number 6 team in pair of June friendlies on the road

It has been a big week in terms of the United States knowing what the 12 months ahead of next summer's Women's World Cup will look like.

Earlier in the week, the Stars and Stripes found out who they will have to get past to reach that tournament, set to face El Salvador in the CONCACAF W Championship in Texas in November. Before then, in the June international window, the U.S. will have a rare pair of friendlies on the road, as confirmed by US Soccer on Thursday.

USWNT's confirmed June friendlies

• Saturday June 6: Brazil - Arena Corinthians, São Paulo. Kick off 17:30 (ET).

• Tuesday June 9: Brazil - Arena Castelão, Fortaleza. Kick off 20:30 (ET).

When we see the USWNT in action next, it will be in Brazil.

There is so much to unpack from this exciting announcement. Their opponents will provide Emma Hayes' team with two tough tests. The Seleção are hosting next summer's World Cup meaning, just like the USA, are desperate for high-level friendly opponents. This month, Arthur Elias' side won all three of their FIFA series fixtures, hammering both Korea Republic and Zambia before a narrow 1-0 win over Canada.

Last year, Brazil won a fifth straight Copa América crown, defeating Colombia on penalties in the final in Quito, before claiming a noteworthy 2-1 friendly win over European champions England in Manchester. These will be the 44th and 45th encounters between the U.S. and Brazil, meaning the Stars and Stripes will actually have only faced Canada, China PR and Norway more frequently.

This includes meeting as recently as April 2025, with Hayes' side 2-0 winners at SoFi Stadium; Trinity Rodman and Lindsey Heaps the scorers. However, three days later, Amanda Gutierres' stoppage time winner saw the Seleção claim a 2-1 victory at PayPal Park. The pair have clashed in plenty of even more high-profile fixtures in the past too.

USWNT meetings with Brazil at major tournaments (2000-present)

• August 2024: Olympic Gold Medal match. Brazil 0-1 USA. Parc des Princes, Paris.

• March 2024: W Gold Cup Final. USA 1-0 Brazil. Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego.

• July 2011: World Cup quarters. Brazil 2-2 USA - 3-5 on pens. Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, Dresden.

• August 2008: Olympic Gold Medal match. Brazil 0-1 USA. Workers' Stadium, Běijīng.

• September 2007: World Cup semi: USA 0-4 Brazil. Yellow Dragon Stadium, Hángzhōu.

• August 2004: Olympic Gold Medal match. USA 2-1 Brazil AET. Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus.

• August 2004: Olympic group stages. USA 2-0 Brazil. Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Thessaloniki.

• September 2000: Olympic semi-final. USA 1-0 Brazil. Bruce Stadium, Canberra.

• July 2000: W Gold Cup Final. Brazil 0-1 USA. Foxboro Stadium, Massachusetts.

• June 2000: W Gold Cup group stages. USA 0-0 Brazil. Foxboro Stadium, Massachusetts.

United States and Brazil have regularly met in high-stakes matches, including three of the last six Olympic finals, all won by USA, most-recently a 1-0 win in Paris two years ago. However, they are always close, and both harbour genuine hopes of winning next year's World Cup, with hosts Brazil ranked number six in the FIFA World Rankings.

These two friendlies will thereby give Hayes' side some ideal preparation ahead of an extended period in Brazil next summer, or at least that's the plan. The fact that the USWNT are playing friendlies on the road at all, regardless of location, is noteworthy.

Each of the United States' last 23 friendlies, and yes we're including the SheBelieves Cup in this, have been played on home soil. In fact, since November 2021, the U.S. have played 59 friendlies, of which 53 have taken place at home. The exceptions are road matches against the Netherlands, England twice and Spain, as well as double-header in New Zealand ahead of the last World Cup down under.

Without competitive action, exacerbated by the fact they qualify for the next Olympics as hosts, Hayes is only going to learn about her players against high-level opponents. This month's three-game series against Japan ticks those boxes, but recent fixtures against Chile, Paraguay, Jamaica, Republic of Ireland, Iceland, South Africa and others serve little purpose. June's double-header in Brazil, in contrast, is something USWNT fans should be very much excited about.