Carlo Ancelotti will make his highly anticipated debut as the head coach of Brazil’s national football team on Thursday, leading the squad to Ecuador for one of the last games in South America’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
With their recent recovery, Brazil sits fourth in the CONMEBOL standings after overcoming a poor start to amass 21 points from 14 matches, six points clear of seventh-place Venezuela. While qualification appears to be nearly secured, the focus now shifts to impressing under Ancelotti’s guidance.
Ecuador, currently ranked second in the group, holds a considerable incentive to perform, as a victory could confirm their spot in the 2026 World Cup pending results from other fixtures.
Match Details
- Date: Thursday, June 5
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Live Stream: Fanatiz
- Odds: Ecuador +280; Draw +210; Brazil +110
Previous Encounter
The last time these teams met was in September at Estadio Couto Pereira in Curitiba, where Brazil secured a 1-0 victory.
Ecuador’s Perspective
Ecuador finds itself in a promising position for World Cup qualification, with head coach Sebastian Beccacece noting the team’s growth and competitiveness following past matches. He emphasized areas needing improvement, particularly on set pieces.
Brazil’s Ambitions
Ancelotti’s arrival brings a fresh approach, with high expectations to revitalize the squad after underwhelming performances in previous tournaments. Both he and captain Marquinhos believe that positive changes are imminent with their upcoming matches.
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
Watching the Game
Catch the action live on CBS Sports Golazo Network, with a variety of podcasts and analyses covering soccer.
Stay tuned for updates and enjoy the match!
