Brazil secured their place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay in São Paulo — the first win under new head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Vinícius Júnior scored the decisive goal in the 44th minute, tapping in from close range after a low cross from new Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha. The result ensured Brazil’s qualification for the tournament, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The win also marked a birthday gift for Ancelotti, who turned 66 and had overseen a 0-0 draw with Ecuador in his debut match last week. The veteran Italian coach praised his players’ “commitment” and “attitude,” noting a strong first half but admitting the team slowed down after the break.
Paraguay, who only needed a draw to qualify, missed their chance to seal a World Cup return for the first time since 2010. They remain on 24 points and now need just one more point from their final fixtures.
Brazil’s victory, combined with Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Venezuela, opened the door for both teams to qualify. While Paraguay failed to capitalize, Brazil took full advantage of Venezuela’s loss.
Despite few clear-cut chances in the first half, Brazil broke through thanks to Cunha’s driving run and pinpoint delivery, which allowed Vinícius to score the only goal. Cunha had earlier missed a golden opportunity, heading wide from close range in the 35th minute.
The win moved Brazil to third in the South American standings with 25 points from 16 matches, guaranteeing a top-six finish and direct qualification to the finals. Ancelotti said he is considering a pool of 70 players for the tournament, including Neymar, who missed the match due to injury.
Ecuador Also Seal World Cup Berth
Ecuador became the latest team to qualify, earning the crucial point they needed in a 0-0 draw against Peru in Lima.
Elsewhere, Uruguay took another step toward qualification with a solid 2-0 win over Venezuela in Montevideo, thanks to goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta. Marcelo Bielsa’s side now need just one more point to book their spot.
Colombia, still battling for qualification, drew 1-1 with already-qualified Argentina in Buenos Aires. Luis Díaz gave Colombia a first-half lead, and Argentina went down to 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off. However, Thiago Almada salvaged a draw with a late equalizer.
Meanwhile, Bolivia ended Chile’s hopes of qualifying with a 2-0 victory, sealing Chile’s third consecutive World Cup absence. The result continues a steep decline for “La Roja,” who won back-to-back Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016.
Qualification Overview
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Qualified: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador
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Almost There: Uruguay, Paraguay
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Still in the Hunt: Colombia, Venezuela
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Eliminated: Chile
The top six teams in South America qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the seventh-placed team will enter an intercontinental playoff.