Brazil, Ecuador qualify for 2026 World Cup finals

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Brazil confirmed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in São Paulo, sealing qualification with two games to spare. A first-half goal from Vinicius Jr. ensured a successful home debut for new head coach Carlo Ancelotti and continued Brazil’s unbroken streak of appearances at every edition of the tournament.

It wasn't a vintage performance, but the result delivered what mattered. "Today wasn't one of our best games," admitted Vinicius, "but the important thing in qualifying is to win and prepare well for the World Cup." The Real Madrid star's goal was his third of the campaign and capped a tidy display that grew in influence as the match wore on.

Brazil now sit on 25 points, mathematically out of reach for seventh-placed Venezuela and thus assured of one of CONMEBOL’s six automatic berths.

Ecuador Clinch With Ten Men

Ecuador joined Brazil and previously qualified Argentina in the 2026 finals after a gritty 0-0 draw in Lima against Peru. A second-half red card for Alan Franco forced them to defend deep for the final 20 minutes, but Gustavo Alfaro’s side held firm to claim the point they needed.

Qualification marks Ecuador’s second consecutive World Cup appearance and their fifth overall. The result also spelled the end of the road for Peru, whose slim chances of a late surge were effectively ended. Sitting on 12 points with two matches left, they now trail Venezuela by six.

Tight Race for Final Spots

With three qualification spots still open, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia are in pole position heading into September’s final international window. Uruguay moved up to fourth on 24 points after a convincing 2-0 win over Venezuela in Montevideo, with goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian De Arrascaeta breaking a four-match winless streak.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side need just one more point from matches against Peru and Chile to seal their spot.

Colombia, meanwhile, remain fifth with 22 points after a late equaliser from Thiago Almada rescued a 1-1 draw for Argentina in Barranquilla. Luis Diaz had given Colombia the lead early in the second half, and the result extends their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Paraguay, who sit level with Uruguay on 24 points, were left frustrated by their narrow loss to Brazil but remain on track. The pressure now shifts to Venezuela, still in the playoff position but with Colombia and Paraguay in their sights.

End of the Line for Chile

One team whose World Cup hopes were officially extinguished on Tuesday was Chile. A 2-0 defeat to Bolivia in La Paz left them with no mathematical path to qualification, leading to the immediate resignation of coach Ricardo Gareca. It ends another turbulent campaign for La Roja, who miss out on a second straight World Cup following their golden era of the 2010s.

South American Standings Snapshot (Top 7)

1. Argentina – Qualified
   
   

2. Brazil – Qualified
   
   

3. Ecuador – Qualified
   
   

4. Uruguay – 24 pts
   
   

5. Paraguay – 24 pts
   
   

6. Colombia – 22 pts
   
   

7. Venezuela – 18 pts (playoff spot)
   
   

With the top six qualifying automatically and seventh earning an intercontinental playoff, all eyes now turn to September. For Brazil and Ecuador, the focus shifts toward preparations. For the chasing pack, the margin for error is vanishing.