The All Whites are scheduled to play Brazil in an international just nine days before the World Cup starts in a major coup for New Zealand soccer.
The friendly fixture has been set down for Geneva, Switzerland on June 4 to help World Cup defending champions and favourites Brazil prepare. It will be the Brazilians' last game before their first group game just nine days later.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released details on its official website although New Zealand Soccer has yet to make an announcement. That was expected today.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira told the website that a match against New Zealand would serve a specific purpose.
"This will be useful in that we will be meeting a team with some similar characteristics to Australia, our opponents in our second game," coach Parreira said.
Brazil's opening group F game is against Croatia and two weeks before their meeting with the Socceroos. Brazil meet Japan in the last group game on June 22.
Five-time World Cup champions Brazil will carry out their World Cup preparations at a base in Weggis, Switzerland, between May 22 and June 4.
The team currently boasting some of the world's greatest footballers, including Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, have played the All Whites twice. They won 4-0 at the 1982 World Cup and 2-0 at the 1999 Confederations Cup.
The All Whites have two matches against Malaysia over the next week, in Christchurch on Sunday and in Albany on Thursday.
New Zealand Soccer is understood to be close to confirming other international matches.
- NZPA
Soccer: All Whites to face Brazil
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