Brazil has officially sealed its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a 1-0 victory over Paraguay on Tuesday. The match’s only goal came from Vinicius Junior, who delivered under pressure and gave new head coach Carlo Ancelotti his first win in just his second game in charge of the Seleção.
“We needed to win here for our people. Now we have more time to work, see what we can improve… We need to celebrate this. After September it is all about the World Cup,” Vinicius said after the match, as quoted by The Associated Press.
🇧🇷 Qualification Secured
- Position in CONMEBOL standings: 3rd
- Points: 25
- Games Played: 16
- Remaining Fixtures: Chile and Bolivia (in September)
Brazil becomes the third CONMEBOL team to mathematically confirm a spot in the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup, joining Argentina and Ecuador. With six automatic qualification spots available from South America, Brazil’s status is now secure.
This also maintains Brazil’s flawless World Cup qualification record — they are the only nation to have qualified for every single men’s FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1930.
🇧🇷 Ancelotti Era Begins with Promise
Ancelotti, who took over from Dorival Junior, began his Brazil stint with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador last week. Against Paraguay, however, Brazil showed renewed intent in attack — something that had been lacking during this qualifying campaign.
Though Brazil has only scored more than one goal in one of its last six matches, the performance against Paraguay hinted at the attacking flair long associated with the national team — and which fans have been yearning to see revived.
🔜 What’s Next?
With qualification locked in, Brazil’s September fixtures against Chile and Bolivia will likely serve as a platform for tactical experimentation and offensive rebuilding under Ancelotti. The Italian coach’s primary goal now is to inject rhythm, creativity, and joy back into a Brazilian side that has appeared overly conservative in recent months.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico begins, all eyes will be on how Brazil shapes its squad and strategy to reclaim its position as the world’s top footballing power.
