On Friday, Brazil will continue its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a match against Ecuador at Estadio Major Antonio Couto Pereira. Currently, Brazil occupies the sixth spot in the standings with seven points, while Ecuador is just ahead in fifth place with eight points.
Brazil’s coach, Dorival Junior, faced disappointment in his debut tournament as national team manager, with his side being knocked out in the Copa America quarter-finals held in the USA. Brazil managed only one win and two draws in their group stage, which led them to a challenging quarter-final against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay. The team eventually eliminated Brazil in a penalty shootout.
Despite a lackluster performance in the Copa America, Dorival Junior remains unbeaten in regulation time across his eight matches in charge, which offers some optimism as he prepares for his first World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil vs. Ecuador: Team Form & Head-to-Head
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Brazil might see their qualification as a mere formality, but their performance so far has been inconsistent, with two wins, one draw, and three losses from their initial six qualifiers. After starting strong with two wins and a draw, the five-time world champions have faced setbacks with defeats against Uruguay, Colombia, and Argentina.
Brazil will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak against Ecuador, having not lost to them in their last 12 encounters. Both teams faced disappointment in the Copa America, with Ecuador also being eliminated in the quarter-finals after finishing second in their group. Ecuador’s knockout stage ended with a 1-1 draw against Argentina, followed by a 4-2 loss in a penalty shootout.
Under Beccacece, Ecuador has enjoyed a five-game unbeaten run in qualifying and sits just above Brazil despite a three-point deduction from the previous cycle for fielding an ineligible player.
Team News
Ecuador has not defeated Brazil since November 2004 but has managed to avoid defeat in their last two meetings with the Selecao. Brazil will be missing Al-Hilal forward Neymar, who is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in October 2023. Injuries have also ruled out Borussia Dortmund’s Yan Couto and Manchester
City’s Savinho, both of whom are unavailable for selection. In response, Dorival Junior has called up 17-year-old Palmeiras forward Estevao Willian, who will join Chelsea next summer. With Raphinha suspended, Dorival might opt for an all-Real Madrid attacking trio of Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Endrick.
Ecuador, on the other hand, will be without defender Christian Ramirez due to an ankle injury sustained in a Europa League match with Ferencvaros. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Pervis Estupinan, who has been sidelined since March 2023, returns to the squad and is expected to start. Enner Valencia, Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, will lead the attack and aims to add to his tally of 41 international goals.
Brazil vs. Ecuador: Probable Starting XI
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Militao, Gabriel, Arana; Andre, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Endrick
Ecuador: Galindez; Preciado, Hincapie, Pacho, Estupinan; Caicedo, Franco, Gruezo; Paez, Sarmiento, Valencia
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