After a goalless draw against Ecuador in his debut match, Brazil’s new head coach Carlo Ancelotti is still searching for his first victory in charge of the Seleção. The Italian tactician will have a second chance tomorrow when Brazil host Paraguay in a key South American World Cup qualifier.
Father-Son Duo Takes the Helm for Brazil
In a move to strengthen the national team’s coaching staff, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has appointed Davide Ancelotti, Carlo’s 35-year-old son, as assistant coach. Davide has been a long-time collaborator with his father, having worked alongside him at Napoli, Everton, Bayern Munich, and most recently Real Madrid. The CBF hopes that the Ancelotti duo can bring stability and renewed energy to the squad as they aim for a strong finish to the qualifying campaign.
Following the 15th round of qualifiers, Brazil sit 4th in the standings with 22 points, just two behind Ecuador and Paraguay. With the expanded format for the 2026 World Cup granting South America 6.5 qualifying spots (six direct, one playoff), Brazil’s chances of reaching the tournament remain strong.
However, qualifying isn’t enough for Ancelotti. Known for his high standards, the former Real Madrid boss has expressed his desire for Brazil to win their final three qualifiers, not just to secure a place in the tournament, but to avoid finishing with the lowest qualifying position in the team’s history.
Raphinha Returns, Neymar Misses Out
Barcelona winger Raphinha will return to the lineup after serving a suspension in the previous match. His absence was sorely felt in the draw against Ecuador, where Brazil failed to convert their attacking dominance into goals. Now reunited with Vinícius Jr. and Casemiro, Raphinha’s return could be the spark Brazil’s attack needs.
Meanwhile, Neymar remains sidelined. Although he’s recovering from injury, he was not selected due to fitness concerns. Ancelotti appears committed to giving younger players more responsibility as Brazil begins to transition into a new era.
Paraguay: One Point Away from Making History
Paraguay have emerged as one of the surprises of this qualifying campaign. Currently sitting second with 24 points, the team has earned wins over regional giants Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. A draw in tomorrow’s match would all but guarantee them a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Expect Paraguay to adopt a disciplined defensive strategy and strike on the counter, knowing that even a single point from Maracanã could secure their ticket to the finals.
Elsewhere in South America: High Stakes All Around
- Argentina, already qualified with 34 points, will face Colombia at home. Messi is expected to start on the bench again, giving room for Di María and Lautaro Martínez to lead the attack. Colombia, with 21 points, needs a win to keep their direct qualification hopes alive.
- Ecuador, facing a lowly ranked Peru, needs just a win to seal qualification virtually.
- Uruguay will host Venezuela in a must-win match. Though Uruguay leads Venezuela by three points and has a superior goal difference, the visitors can’t be counted out. Still, Uruguay’s past wins against both Brazil and Argentina give them the edge.
Standings After Round 15:
- Argentina – 34 pts
- Paraguay – 24 pts
- Ecuador – 24 pts
- Brazil – 22 pts
- Uruguay – 21 pts
- Colombia – 21 pts
- Venezuela – 18 pts
With just three rounds remaining, the battle for qualification is heating up. For Ancelotti and Brazil, tomorrow’s match is about more than just three points; it’s a chance to set the tone for the future.
