Brazil Qualifies for 2026 FIFA World Cup

In a hard-fought climax to a turbulent CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, Brazil secured their berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a tense 1-0 victory over Paraguay on June 10, 2025, at São Paulo's Neo Química Arena. Vinícius Júnior's second-half strike—his first under new coach Carlo Ancelotti—ignited euphoria among 50,000 fans, marking Ancelotti's debut home win and clinching one of the six automatic spots for the five-time champions. The Seleção's path was anything but smooth: a rocky start under previous manager Dorival Júnior featured humiliating defeats, including a first-ever home loss to Argentina, plunging Brazil to the brink of playoff peril amid injuries and form slumps. Ancelotti's arrival injected structure—a compact 4-3-3 emphasizing dribbling flair from stars like Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Raphinha—while shoring up defensive vulnerabilities, culminating in this pivotal result with two matchdays spared. Proponents hail the qualification as preserving Brazil's unparalleled legacy: the only nation to appear in every World Cup since 1930, now extending to 23 consecutive tournaments. It offers redemption post their 2022 quarterfinal exit and fuels optimism for glory in the expanded 48-team format across Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Critics, however, lament the underwhelming campaign—Brazil's lowest modern-era points tally—exposing generational transition pains and tactical inconsistencies, with full-back woes persisting. As the draw looms on December 5, 2025, Ancelotti's men regroup, blending prodigious talent with renewed resolve to chase a record sixth title in North America's grand stage.