Brazil and Ecuador qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Ancelotti plays with four forwards with Brazil..
Brazil and Ecuador have secured spots at the 2026 World Cup, taking the second and third of South America’s six automatic qualifying berths.
Brazil defeated Paraguay 1-0 and Ecuador drew 0-0 in Peru, both teams moving up to 25 points with two games remaining, beyond seventh-place Venezuela. Prior to the final two games in September, Uruguay (24 points), Paraguay (24), and Colombia (22) hold the final three automatic qualification spots. If Venezuela (18) finished eighth, they would go to the playoffs and face a team from another confederation.
Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Brazil, made a successful home debut with a goal from Vinícius Júnior, a striker for Real Madrid, just before halftime.
“It is for you,” Vinícius told Ancelotti, his former Madrid manager, as he celebrated.
“I’m very happy with today’s result,” Vinícius said. “We needed to win at home for our fans too and qualify for the World Cup, which was our goal. Now [Ancelotti] will have more time to work, to see what he can improve. Today wasn’t one of our best games, but the important thing in qualifying is to win.”
Vinícius, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, and Gabriel Martinelli got things started. Despite having four strikers, Ancelotti claimed that the team was balanced and that Cunha’s playmaking role was one that may become Neymar’s if the veteran fully recovers.
“It’s no problem to play with three or four up front,” Ancelotti said. “We need 10 players to run, to sacrifice. Rodrygo did this many times, I know him well. And Neymar will also do it.”
Ecuador avoided a loss in Peru and advanced to the World Cup for the second consecutive year. After Alan Franco, the midfielder, received a second yellow card, the visitors were confined to their own half for the last twenty minutes. Peru’s chances of qualifying were virtually destroyed by the draw.
Uruguay’s 2-0 victory over Venezuela at home ended a four-match winless streak in qualifying and put them one step closer to securing a spot.
Thiago Almada’s equaliser in the 81st minute was necessary for Argentina to cancel out Luis Díaz’s goal and draw with Colombia. Chile lost 2-0 in Bolivia, ending their chances of making it to the finals. Following the game, Ricardo Gareca, the coach of Chile, resigned.