Brazil, Russia to play friendly in March

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 12 (IANS): Brazil will play Russia in an international friendly March 25 at London’s Stamford Bridge, according to world football’s governing body FIFA.

The match, listed on FIFA’s official website Friday, will be the Selecao’s final fixture before coach Luiz Felipe Scolari announces his squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup, to be played in Brazil in June, reports Xinhua.

Brazil has already confirmed friendlies against England at London’s Wembley Stadium Feb 6 and Italy in Geneva March 21.

Scolari’s team will finalise its preparations for the Confederations Cup with matches against England at Rio’s Maracana Stadium June 2 and France in Porto Alegre a week later.

If confirmed, the match against Russia will mark Scolari’s return to Chelsea‘s Stamford Bridge for the first time since being sacked by the Premier League club in February 2009.

Brazil currently has Oscar, Lucas Piazon, Ramires and David Luiz on Chelsea’s playing list.

Drawn in Group A, Brazil will make its Confederations Cup debut against Japan June 15 at Estadio National in Brasilia.