World Cup 2026: Ancelotti and Brazil Can be Dream Ticket

Ecuador vs Brazil

There’s a tangible excitement about Brazil right now.

Let’s be honest, recent results give little reason to be upbeat.

They currently sit in fourth spot in the qualifying standings for next year’s World Cup, while they have also lost five of their World Cup 2026 qualifiers to date.

Yet despite all the recent woes, which includes a Copa America quarter-final exit to Uruguay last summer and a 4-1 hammering to Argentina last time out, this is Brazil folks.

SBOTOP fans will not need reminding there is a magic and majesty about the Selecao which no other international football nation can quite match.

And with a special new manager now at the helm, their World Cup qualifier 2025 highlights could be just about to begin.

 

Talking Points

The excitement stems from the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti.

He’s a multiple winner in multiple countries to the extent that silverware is almost guaranteed when he’s around – from the Premier League to La Liga.

In fact, since Sir Alex Ferguson called it a day in 2013, I am in no doubt he has been the best manager in the world.

In a statement announcing his appointment, the Brazilian FA hailed the “landmark moment of the coming together of two icons”, highlighting their unrivalled five World Cup wins and Ancelotti’s historic record in European football.

This will be Ancelotti’s first international role, but he will take over Brazil as one of the most decorated managers in club football and the only coach to win each of Europe’s top-five leagues, so no wonder excitement abounds.

It should be said while the world’s most successful international team were on the lookout for their fifth head coach in two-and-a-half years since the dismissal of Dorival Junior at the end of March, the genial, paternalistic 62-year-old was initially welcomed; uniting the squad and restoring an intangible sense of calm around the setup.

It did not hurt that he is widely liked by journalists, many of whom have grown to know him well across his two decades in Brazilian club football.

It was, however, always going to be a short-term appointment and Ancelotti becomes the first foreign coach to take sole charge of Brazil.

He certainly has some big decisions to make. With Eder Militão, an old favourite of his at Real Madrid, still out injured with a second anterior cruciate ligament rupture, a centre-back combination of Murillo and PSG’s Champions League winning captain, Marquinhos, probably picks itself.

Overrun at the Copa América and bulldozed in Argentina, the Brazil midfield needs sorting out and given some muscle, which is where Casemiro, fresh from a fine few months at club level,will make an interesting return to the team.

Vinícius, Rodrygo and potentially Endrick – the teenage sensation of such promise who scored the winner at Wembley just over a year ago – will fill the attacking roles alongside Raphinha.

Of course, Ancelotti’s wide knowledge should ensure a record they would like to distance themselves from is put to bed in America next year (yes, they will qualify).

For Brazil have been eliminated by the first European side they have faced in a knockout tie in the past five World Cups.

His tactical acumen and ability to deal with players of differing standards and expectations mark him out as one of the best.

This could be a marriage made in heaven.

 

History

Ecuador have actually beaten Brazil twice in their history – but you have to go back more than 20 years to the last time.

Both came on Ecuador turf in World Cup qualifiers.

Brazil have 28 victories to their name in total, including seven straight wins in their first ever encounters and success in six of their last nine clashes.

They most recently met in Curitiba in qualifying last September when Rodrygo scored the only goal of the contest.

Their last meeting on Ecuadorian turf was a qualifier for the 2022 World Cup when Casemiro opened the scoring and Felix Torres levelled for the hosts in a 1-1 draw.

Their very first meeting was in the Copa America in 1942 which resulted in a 5-1 Brazilian group stage success in Montevideo.

Their scorers that day were Zizinho, Tim and Pirilo (three), while Ecuador notched a consolation from the penalty spot from Enrique Alvarez.

 

Betting Tip

Our World Cup qualifier 2025 betting odds edge towards Brazil, both 1X2 @ 2.37 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.07.

Ecuador are not the whipping boys many might expect though and are priced 1X2 @ 2.89 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.11.

Another 1-1 draw will pay out @ 5.70 with Correct Score.

As it stands, Ecuador are second in the South American qualifying table for next year’s World Cup, two points ahead of Brazil, and both nations will be cautiously hopeful of securing a place in the States.

I think Brazil will edge this encounter, though.

   

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