Ecuador and Brazil qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Thursday, June 12, 2025 - Brazil sealed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in São Paulo on Tuesday, marking Carlo Ancelotti’s first win as manager of the five-time world champions.

The breakthrough came in the 44th minute through Vinicius Jr., who tapped home from close range after a low cross by Manchester United’s newest signing, Matheus Cunha. The Real Madrid star’s goal was enough to separate both sides in a tense qualifying match at the Neo Química Arena.

The result, combined with Venezuela’s earlier loss to Uruguay, ensured Brazil’s automatic qualification to the tournament set to be hosted across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The win lifted Brazil to third in the South American qualifying standings with 25 points from 16 matches, securing a top-six finish.

Ancelotti, who celebrated his 66th birthday with the crucial win, praised his players for their focus and resilience.

“It was a good match with a very good first half, although obviously we suffered a bit because Paraguay are very solid opponents and we slowed down a bit in the second,” said the Italian, who took over as coach earlier this year.

Brazil's chances had looked uncertain earlier in the game when Cunha missed a clear opportunity, heading wide from close range in the 35th minute. But he redeemed himself minutes later by setting up the winning goal with sharp link-up play.

Paraguay, meanwhile, remain on the brink of qualification with 24 points, needing just one point from their remaining fixtures to reach their first World Cup since 2010.

Elsewhere in South America, Ecuador became the second team of the night to book their World Cup ticket after holding Peru to a goalless draw in Lima. The point was enough to mathematically secure qualification.

Uruguay bolstered their position with a 2-0 win over Venezuela in Montevideo. Goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta brought Marcelo Bielsa’s men within a point of qualification.

Venezuela, hoping to reach their first-ever World Cup, sit in seventh place with 18 points, currently occupying the intercontinental playoff spot.

In Buenos Aires, already-qualified Argentina played out a 1-1 draw with Colombia. Luis Diaz gave the visitors the lead with a powerful strike in the 24th minute, and the world champions found themselves down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off. Despite the disadvantage, Argentina equalised through Thiago Almada in the 81st minute.

Chile’s campaign came to a disappointing end with a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia, officially eliminating “La Roja” from contention. This marks a third consecutive failure to reach the World Cup for the former Copa America champions.

With just two rounds of matches remaining in the South American qualifiers, the top six teams will earn direct passage to the 2026 finals, while the seventh-placed team will contest an intercontinental playoff.