2026 World Cup Qualifiers – South American Zone: Brazil Secures Its Ticket to the United States Thanks to a Modest Victory Against Paraguay

Mission accomplished for Carlo Ancelotti. In his second match at the helm of the Seleção, the Italian coach secured his first victory on the Brazilian bench, and it was a significant one: a 1-0 victory on Paraguayan soil that officially seals Brazil's qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

It was Vinicius Jr., the Real Madrid winger, who gave the Seleção the three points with a goal in the 44th minute, at the end of a first half largely controlled by the visitors. Defensively solid and more incisive in transitions, the Brazilians showed a much more convincing performance than in their previous outing, a dull match against Ecuador.

With this victory, Brazil consolidates its third place in the CONMEBOL zone standings and can no longer be caught by teams outside the top 6, which guarantees direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, organized in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Ancelotti era, still in its early stages, is thus beginning to bear its first fruits. In addition to having regained a certain collective solidity, the Seleção showed better management of weak periods, an aspect often criticized in recent months. The challenge remains immense for a Brazil seeking redemption since its premature elimination from the 2022 World Cup, but this victory marks an important step on the road to reconstruction.

The next objective for the Seleção is to refine its automatisms and consolidate its status as a favorite as the great football celebration approaches in 2026.

Mardoché D’Août