Carlo Ancelotti is set to make his highly anticipated debut as the head coach of Brazil`s national team this Thursday. The five-time World Cup champions are traveling to face Ecuador in one of the final matches of the South American World Cup qualifying campaign.
After a challenging start to the qualification process, Brazil has significantly improved over 14 games and currently occupies fourth place in the CONMEBOL standings, which feature 10 teams. With 21 points, they hold a comfortable six-point lead over seventh-placed Venezuela, who are currently in the intercontinental playoff spot, and are seven points ahead of eighth-placed Bolivia. While direct qualification appears highly probable, Brazil`s goals for this month`s fixtures extend beyond securing points; they also aim to make a strong impression under Ancelotti`s new leadership.
However, the new manager faces an immediate test. Ecuador is currently ranked second in the table, sitting two points ahead of Brazil and the other two teams level on points with the Selecao – Uruguay and Paraguay. A victory against Brazil on Thursday could be enough for Ecuador to guarantee their spot at the 2026 World Cup, although they would also need Venezuela and Bolivia to draw on Friday to ensure qualification.
Here is essential information regarding the upcoming match:
Match Information
- Date: Thursday, June 5
- Location: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo — Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Live stream: Fanatiz
- Odds: Ecuador +280; Draw +210; Brazil +110
Last Encounter
The teams last met in September in Curitiba, where hosts Brazil secured a 1-0 victory. Brazil enjoyed more possession and scored the only goal through Rodrygo in the 30th minute. Although Brazil won, the match was relatively balanced in terms of attacking opportunities, with Brazil narrowly outshooting Ecuador 10-9 and having three shots on target compared to Ecuador`s two.
Ecuador`s Perspective
In a competitive CONMEBOL qualifying tournament, Ecuador holds a strong second-place position and is on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. While not traditional World Cup regulars, La Tri have participated four times before. Their strong current standing suggests they are not merely benefiting from the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams, but are genuinely competitive. To clinch qualification as early as Thursday, they must overcome Brazil, a feat they have yet to achieve in this qualifying cycle.
Head coach Sebastian Beccacece believes Ecuador has progressed significantly since their 1-0 loss nine months ago.
“Feeling that you`re growing is key,” he commented. “I feel that Ecuador used to compete very well physically, that they have a natural ability, but I`ve noticed in the last few matches, after Bolivia and Peru, that the team has been very dominant, dominating the game, keeping the ball, and improving those aspects of having more possession, finishing, attacking, and crossing. We`ve grown a lot since we started.”
Beccacece, who took charge last August, also pointed out areas for improvement.
“There`s a lot to improve on set pieces; we haven`t gotten any benefit from them, and that`s a valid argument. Overall, I`m very happy and satisfied, and I feel we have to continue with that ambition so we don`t stop at what we`re achieving. It`s not insignificant, but we don`t know if it`s enough.”
Brazil`s Perspective
Since their quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup, Brazil has experienced inconsistent form. They won only two of their first six qualifying matches and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Copa America last summer. This prompted a need for change, which begins Thursday with Ancelotti`s first match.
Ancelotti and his team arrive with high expectations, already drawing comparisons to successful club sides. Ancelotti himself mentioned his former club, Real Madrid, during his introductory remarks.
“My Brazil will play like Real Madrid, but not like Real Madrid this year, rather like Real Madrid last year,” Ancelotti stated. “That`s what I want.”
Captain Marquinhos, fresh off winning the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, also shared his thoughts.
“I saw at PSG that things can change very quickly, the dynamics, the energy, everything,” Marquinhos said. “I hope that happens here, too. I`ve had little contact with Ancelotti, only last night and this morning, but he gave me a clear picture of the game plan. With his experience, the adaptation will be quick. With his experience, we will improve with every training session. He brings energy, something new. It`s a short time until the World Cup, so this energy is very important. It`s just a start, it will depend a lot on our performance on the field.”
Predicted Starting Lineups
Ecuador: Hernan Galindez, Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Alan Franco, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Vite, Pervis Estupinan, Alan Minda, Enner Valencia, Darwin Guagua
Brazil: Alisson, Augusto, Marquinhos, Leo Ortiz, Lucas Beraldo, Casemiro, Ederson, Bruno Guimaraes, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior, Brazil: Vinicius Junior possesses the star quality that has long been associated with Brazilian footballers. He has become a central figure at Real Madrid, delivering standout performances in major finals and establishing himself as a strong candidate for the Ballon d`Or. While his brilliant club form hasn`t always fully translated to the national team, Ancelotti`s arrival could change that. Having scored 90 goals in 198 appearances under Ancelotti at Real Madrid, Vinicius is poised to become Brazil`s key player leading up to the next World Cup. Thursday`s match offers a prime opportunity for him to kick off this new era positively with an impactful performance.
Key Storyline
Ancelotti`s First Match: Ancelotti is new to the Brazilian setup and national team coaching, facing a tight timeline. Among prominent coaches expected at the 2026 World Cup, he has one of the shortest preparation periods – just a year. His task is to transform a recently inconsistent team into a dominant international force, akin to his description of them playing like Real Madrid. The speed at which he can achieve this, given the limited number of matches, is a major question. The multiple Champions League winner must quickly make his mark to help Brazil pursue their ultimate goal: winning their first World Cup title in 24 years.
Match Prediction
It`s uncertain how Brazil will perform in their initial game under a new coach, especially against a highly motivated Ecuador team playing at home. However, Brazil possesses significant individual quality that can decide the game. While Vinicius is perhaps the most prominent, Raphinha is coming off a career-best season with Barcelona, and Marquinhos has been consistently solid for PSG. Despite what`s at stake for Ecuador, this match is Brazil`s to control. Predicted Score: Ecuador 0, Brazil 1