Brazil to play Switzerland in August friendly

Neymar and Brazil have an automatic spot in the 2014 World Cup as the host country.

Carlos M. Saavedra/SI

The Switzerland Football Association says it will play World Cup host Brazil in a home friendly in August, and the countries have agreed to meet again in the 2015-16 season.

The Swiss FA says the Aug. 14 match is scheduled at FC Basel's St. Jakob Park stadium.

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld says the fixture is a sign of his team's growing reputation.

Switzerland leads its World Cup qualifying group and is currently ranked No. 13 by FIFA.

Brazil is No. 18 after losing ground playing only friendlies because it qualifies directly as host of the 2014 World Cup.

Brazil plays its first match of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's second spell against England at Wembley stadium next week.

Scolari's team also plays in Switzerland on March 21 against Italy in Geneva.