Selection before Ancelotti's debut: 4th in the Qualifiers and 10 points behind Argentina

Coach Carlo Ancelotti will make his debut in charge of the Brazilian national team on Thursday, against Ecuador, at the Monumental stadium in Guayaquil, in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil is in fourth place in the qualifying table, with 21 points. The national team is in the qualifying zone for the World Cup, but is behind Argentina (leader with 31 points), Ecuador (second place, with 23 points) and Uruguay (third, with 21 points).

The Brazilian national team has a record of six wins, three draws and five losses, with a 50% success rate. In the last round, Brazil suffered a tough defeat to rival Argentina by 4-1, at the Monumental de Núñez, in Buenos Aires. The setback culminated in the dismissal of coach Dorival Júnior.

Argentina are the only South American team already mathematically qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Ecuador, if they beat Brazil in Ancelotti's debut, could secure a spot, depending on the result of the match between Venezuela and Bolivia.

The team will not qualify if it beats Ecuador. But it will take a big step towards the 2026 World Cup if it wins on Thursday. A win against Ecuador and Paraguay next Tuesday at the Neo Química Arena will guarantee Brazil at least a place in the playoffs for next year's World Cup.

If Ancelotti's team wins both matches and Venezuela stumbles against Bolivia or Uruguay, Brazil will secure a spot in the World Cup on this FIFA date. Depending on a combination of results, the team could still qualify directly even without winning both matches.

The top six teams from the South American qualifiers will participate in the World Cup. The team that finishes in seventh place will compete in the world play-offs.