RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Brazil will ratchet up preparations for next year's FIFA World Cup with friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Friday.

The five-time World Cup champions will meet France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando five days later, according to a CBF statement.

The fixtures will be the last chance for Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti to test players before finalizing his squad for the World Cup, to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Brazil earned its World Cup spot by finishing fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying group.

Ancelotti's team will begin its Group C campaign against Morocco on June 13 before facing Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24. ■