Rio de janeiro: Brazil and Panama will fine-tune their preparations for this year's FIFA World Cup with a friendly at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Friday. The May 31 clash will be Brazil's last home appearance before the team embarks on its bid for a sixth World Cup title in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming match. "I really like the Maracana, it's a grand stage, full of history," Ancelotti told the CBF's official website. He emphasized the team's readiness for the World Cup, stating, "We have everything it takes to play a high-level World Cup, we are preparing very well, the players are proud to serve the national team and this exchange of energy before the tournament will be very good."

Panama, currently ranked 33rd in the world, has been drawn in Group L of the World Cup alongside England, Croatia, and Ghana. Meanwhile, fifth-ranked Brazil will begin its World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 in Group C, which also includes Haiti and Scotland.