Carlo Ancelotti is set to make his first appearance as head coach for the Brazilian national team on Thursday. Brazil, five-time World Cup champions, will face Ecuador in one of the concluding matches of the South American World Cup qualification campaign.
After 14 matches, Brazil has improved significantly from a difficult start and currently holds fourth place in the CONMEBOL standings. With 21 points, they are six points ahead of seventh-placed Venezuela (in the playoff spot) and seven ahead of eighth-placed Bolivia. While qualification seems highly probable, Brazil`s goals for this month`s qualifiers are securing the needed points for next year`s World Cup and making a strong impression under the newly arrived Ancelotti.
The new manager faces an immediate challenge. Ecuador is currently ranked second in the table, two points ahead of Brazil and the teams tied with them (Uruguay and Paraguay). A victory against Brazil on Thursday could potentially secure Ecuador`s spot at the 2026 World Cup, though they would also need Venezuela and Bolivia to draw on Friday for confirmation.
Here`s what you should know before the match.
Match Details & Odds
- Date: Thursday, June 5
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo — Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Live stream: Fanatiz
- Odds: Ecuador +280; Draw +210; Brazil +110
Last Meeting
Their previous encounter was in September in Curitiba, where Brazil won 1-0. Brazil had more possession and scored the only goal through Rodrygo in the 30th minute. The match was otherwise balanced in attack, with Brazil slightly ahead in shots (10-9) and shots on goal (three to two).
Ecuador`s View
Ecuador finds themselves in second place in a competitive qualification campaign and are on the brink of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Coach Sebastian Beccacece believes his team has made significant advancements since their 1-0 loss in Curitiba nine months prior.
“Feeling that you`re growing is key,” he said. “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… 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, in charge since last August, also noted room for improvement, particularly on set pieces, stating, “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
Brazil`s performance has been inconsistent since their quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup and their Copa America elimination last summer, highlighting the need for a fresh start, which begins Thursday with Ancelotti`s first match.
Both Ancelotti and the players have high expectations, even comparing the national team to elite club sides. Ancelotti himself referenced his former club Real Madrid: “My Brazil will play like Real Madrid, but not like Real Madrid this year, rather like Real Madrid last year. That`s what I want.”
Captain Marquinhos, fresh off winning the Champions League with PSG, shared his perspective: “I saw at PSG that things can change very quickly, the dynamics, the energy, everything. I hope that happens here, too… With his [Ancelotti`s] experience, the adaptation will be quick… 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 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 embodies the star power often associated with Brazilian football legends. He has become a pivotal figure for Real Madrid, delivering key performances in Champions League finals and emerging as a strong candidate for the Ballon d`Or. However, his exceptional club form hasn`t fully transferred to the national team yet. Ancelotti`s arrival could change this, given Vinicius scored 90 goals under him at Real Madrid. He has a prime opportunity on Thursday to mark the start of this new era with a significant national team performance.
Storyline to Watch
Ancelotti`s First Game: Ancelotti is new to Brazil and national team management, with limited time – just a year until the 2026 World Cup preparation ramps up. His task is to transform a currently inconsistent team into the international equivalent of “Real Madrid,” as he described it. The speed at which he can achieve this transformation is a major question, especially with few matches scheduled. The highly successful coach needs to make an immediate impact to set Brazil on course for their goal: winning a sixth World Cup title after a 24-year wait.
Prediction
Predicting Brazil`s performance in their inaugural match under a new coach, especially against a highly motivated Ecuador side, is challenging. However, Brazil possesses significant quality, particularly in players like Vinicius, Raphinha (coming off a great season), and the consistent Marquinhos. Despite the stakes for Ecuador, this match is Brazil`s to control.
Prediction: Ecuador 0, Brazil 1
