Carlo Ancelotti is set to make his highly anticipated debut as head coach of the Brazilian national team on Thursday. The five-time World Cup champions will face Ecuador in a key match during the final stages of South American World Cup qualifying.
Following a poor start, Brazil has recovered over 14 games and now occupies fourth place in the 10-team CONMEBOL standings with 21 points. They hold a comfortable lead over teams outside the automatic qualification spots (six points ahead of 7th-place Venezuela in the playoff position, seven ahead of 8th-place Bolivia). While qualification appears highly likely, Brazil`s goal for these upcoming qualifiers is twofold: secure their place in the 2026 World Cup and demonstrate improvement under the new leadership of Carlo Ancelotti.
However, the new manager won`t have an easy start. Ecuador is currently second in the table, two points clear of Brazil and the two teams level on points with Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. A victory against Brazil on Thursday could potentially guarantee Ecuador a spot in the 2026 World Cup, though it would depend on the outcome of the Venezuela vs. Bolivia match on Friday for definite confirmation.
Here`s a look at the key details for the match:
How to watch Ecuador vs. Brazil, odds
- Date and Time: Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo — Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Live stream: Available on Fanatiz
- Odds: Ecuador +280, Draw +210, Brazil +110
Last meeting
Their previous encounter was in September at Estadio Couto Pereira in Curitiba, where Brazil secured a 1-0 victory at home. Brazil controlled possession slightly more and scored the only goal in the 30th minute via Rodrygo. Despite this, the attacking statistics were quite close, with Brazil slightly outshooting Ecuador 10-9 and having a slight edge in shots on goal (three vs. two).
What Ecuador are saying
Ecuador currently holds second place in the highly competitive CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings and is close to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. While not World Cup regulars (they`ve participated four times before), their strong position suggests their success isn`t solely due to FIFA`s expanded tournament format, but rather their performance, potentially making them the second South American team to qualify. To confirm qualification as early as Thursday, they would need to defeat Brazil, a feat they haven`t accomplished during the current qualifying campaign.
Head coach Sebastian Beccacece believes his team has significantly improved since their 1-0 loss in Curitiba nine months prior. “Feeling that you`re growing is key,” he stated on Wednesday. Beccacece noted, “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… We`ve grown a lot since we started.”
Beccacece, in charge since last August, also pointed out areas needing refinement. “There`s a lot to improve on set pieces; we haven`t gotten any benefit from them, and that`s a valid argument,” he commented. He concluded, “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.”
What Brazil are saying
Since being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, Brazil has experienced inconsistent form. Their start to qualifying saw them win only two of their first six matches, followed by a quarterfinal exit in last summer`s Copa America. This period highlighted a need for revitalization, which is expected to start on Thursday with Carlo Ancelotti`s debut.
Both the expectations and the stakes are high for Ancelotti and the team. There`s already a tendency to compare the Selecao to top club sides, exemplified by Ancelotti himself, who referenced his former club Real Madrid during his introductory remarks last week. “My Brazil will play like Real Madrid, but not like Real Madrid this year, rather like Real Madrid last year,” Ancelotti stated, adding, “That`s what I want.”
Brazil captain Marquinhos also spoke, fresh off winning his first UEFA Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique. “I saw at PSG that things can change very quickly, the dynamics, the energy, everything,” Marquinhos commented, expressing hope for a similar effect with Brazil. “I`ve had little contact with Ancelotti… but he gave me a clear picture of the game plan,” he added. Marquinhos believes that with Ancelotti`s experience, “the adaptation will be quick… we will improve with every training session. He brings energy, something new… 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: If any player embodies the traditional `star power` associated with Brazilian footballers, it`s Vinicius Junior. He has become a central figure for Real Madrid, delivering crucial performances in two Champions League finals and emerging as a strong candidate for the Ballon d`Or. While his exceptional club form hasn`t always been fully replicated with the national team, Ancelotti`s arrival could change this. Vinicius scored 90 goals in 198 appearances under Ancelotti at Real Madrid and has the potential to become Brazil`s standout player leading up to the next World Cup. Thursday`s match presents an ideal chance for him to contribute significantly and help start Ancelotti`s era positively.
Storyline to watch
Ancelotti`s first game: While Carlo Ancelotti is new to managing Brazil and a national team environment, time is not on his side. Among the high-profile coaches anticipated at the 2026 World Cup, he has one of the shortest preparation periods, with roughly a year to get the team ready. His task is to transform Brazil, which has shown inconsistent form, into an international powerhouse akin to the Real Madrid he previously managed. The speed at which he can achieve this is a major question, especially given the limited number of international fixtures. The decorated coach must quickly make his impact felt to guide Brazil towards their ultimate goal – winning their first World Cup since 2002.
Prediction
Predicting Brazil`s performance under a new coach in their very first game is challenging, particularly against an Ecuador side highly motivated to win. However, Brazil possesses significant quality capable of securing a result. Although Vinicius Jr. is highlighted, other players like Raphinha, fresh from a strong season at Barcelona, and the consistently solid Marquinhos at PSG, are key. Despite the high stakes for Ecuador, the game is arguably Brazil`s to control. Prediction: Ecuador 0, Brazil 1
