International Friendly 21 March 2013: Brazil versus Italy

The Italian Football Federation, confirmed in December 2012 that the football match will be played in Switzerland in March.

Italy and Brazil will square off at the 2013 Confederations Cup this June as Italy gained a spot in the tournament because Spain captured both the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2012 titles.

The Azzurri, travel to Malta five days after the friendly with Brazil for a World Cup qualifier against the island nation.

Check back as Football Friendlies updates this post with Brazil vs. Italy news-worthy links.

+ Football Friendlies - Brazil versus Italy 21 March 2013 Prediction

+ Prandelli names Italy squad to face Seleção via Sambafoot (18 March 2013)

+ Brazil names squad (5 March 2013)

+ Italy ready for Confederations Cup 2013 with friendly against San Marino (24 February)

+ Neymar not ready to shoulder Brazil burden says Pele via The Star Online (24 February)

+ FIFA invites Kevin Boateng for Italy-Brazil friendly via Ghana Sports Online (31 January)

+ Brazil to face Chile on 24 April 2013

Football Friendly Northern Ireland travels to Malta 6 February 2013; Michael O'Neill names squad

Northern Ireland national team manager Michael O'Neill named his 23-man squad for the 6 February 2013 friendly action at Malta to be played at the National Stadium.

Inverness striker Billy McKay, whose club form this season is nothing short of spectacular, hopes to translate SPL goals into first-team production for country.

McKay, a 24-year-old who joined Inverness for the 2011-12 campaign, notched 20 goals thus far in 2012-13 Scottish Premier League action as his club nips at the boots of top-of-the-table Celtic.


Video via Scottish Premier League YouTube Channel.

Several other footballers are looking to impress O'Neill as well as earn a debut cap in the process including: Hull defender Alex Bruce, Bury goalkeeper Trevor Carson, Tranmere striker Adam McGurk and Liverpool midfielder Ryan McLaughlin.

Goalkeepers: R. Carroll (Olympiakos), A. Mannus (St Johnstone), T. Carson (Bury)

Defenders: A. Hughes (Fulham), R. McGivern (Hibernian), J. Evans (Man. United), C. Cathcart (Blackpool), G. McAuley (WBA), A. Bruce (Hull), D. Lafferty (Burnley)

Midfielders: S. Davis (captain, Southampton), O. Norwood (Huddersfield), C. Evans (Hull), N. McGinn (Aberdeen), C. Brunt (West Brom), S. Ferguson (Newcastle), R. McLaughlin (Liverpool)

Strikers: D. Shiels (Rangers), W. Grigg (Walsall), J. Ward (Derby), B. McKay (Inverness), P. McCourt (Celtic), A. McGurk (Tranmere)