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Brazil and Ecuador have secured spots at the 2026 World Cup, taking the second and third of South America’s six automatic qualifying berths after the champions, Argentina, booked their ticket in March.
Brazil beat Paraguay 1-0 while Ecuador drew 0-0 in Peru as both teams climbed to 25 points with two matches to play, beyond the reach of Venezuela in seventh place. Uruguay (24 points), Paraguay (24) and Colombia (22) occupy the remaining three automatic qualification positions before the final two fixtures in September. Venezuela (18) would earn a playoff spot against a team from another confederation by finishing seventh.
In São Paulo, a goal from the Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior on the stroke of half-time made it a winning home debut for Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti. “It is for you,” Vinícius told Ancelotti, his former Madrid manager, as he celebrated.
“I’m very happy with today’s result,” Vinícius said. “We needed to win at home for our fans too and qualify for the World Cup, which was our goal. Now [Ancelotti] will have more time to work, to see what he can improve. Today wasn’t one of our best games, but the important thing in qualifying is to win.”
Vinícius, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha started. Ancelotti said the team had been balanced despite having four forwards and that Cunha’s role, as a playmaker, was the one that could be Neymar’s if the veteran fully recovers fitness.
“It’s no problem to play with three or four up front,” Ancelotti said. “We need 10 players to run, to sacrifice. Rodrygo did this many times, I know him well. And Neymar will also do it.”
After the final whistle, a clip of Ancelotti’s first days in the job was shown on big screens around the stadium. A raucous celebration erupted, as if the Italian had brought new life to a team that only three months ago appeared lost and doomed. Ancelotti’s debut last week brought a goalless draw against Peru.
Brazil extended their record as the only team to play at every World Cup, with the five-times winners in line to make their 23rd appearance in next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Ecuador qualified for their second straight World Cup by avoiding defeat in Peru. The visitors were penned in their own half for the final 20 minutes after the midfielder Alan Franco was shown a second yellow card. The draw all but ended Peru’s hopes of qualifying.
Uruguay moved a step closer to securing a spot with a 2-0 home victory over Venezuela, ending a four-match winless run in qualifiers. Uruguay dominated much of the first half but struggled to break down a well-organised defence until Rodrigo Aguirre put them ahead in the 42nd minute, heading in from a corner. Giorgian De Arrascaeta doubled Uruguay’s lead two minutes into the second half with a superb shot into the top-left corner. Marcelo Bielsa’s need one point from their matches against Peru and Chile to make sure of a place at the finals.
Argentina needed an 81st-minute equaliser from Thiago Almada to cancel out Luis Díaz’s goal and secure a draw with Colombia. Chile’s hopes of reaching the finals ended with a 2-0 loss in Bolivia. Chile’s coach Ricardo Gareca resigned after the match.
