The South American World Cup qualifiers proceed on Thursday night time with a conflict between Brazil and Chile on the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Kickoff is about for 8:30 PM ET, and whereas Brazil is already certified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada, the highlight will likely be on how Carlo Ancelotti’s squad performs with out a number of of its greatest stars however the principle participant will likely be Raphinha.
Regardless of securing World Cup qualification early, Brazil’s performances have been removed from convincing. The Seleção misplaced its historic house unbeaten streak and suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Argentina in March on the Monumental in Buenos Aires. These struggles triggered widespread criticism and finally led to the hiring of Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian coach with 5 Champions League titles to his title.
Since taking cost in June, Ancelotti stays unbeaten, however he has emphasised utilizing the September fixtures to “get to know the gamers.” His squad choice excluded Neymar, Vinícius Junior, and Rodrygo, leaving area for others to step up. One of many key figures anticipated to shine is Raphinha, who will shoulder extra accountability in assault alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Matheus Cunha.
Chile’s new period with out its Golden Era
For Chile, the qualifiers have been nothing wanting disastrous. With solely two wins within the marketing campaign, La Roja sits on the backside of the desk and has no probability of reaching the 2026 World Cup. This marks their third consecutive absence from the event, a devastating blow for a nation that after boasted a golden technology.
Ancelotti desires to make sure the workforce’s confidence so they’re properly ready for the World Cup.
The poor outcomes prompted the resignation of coach Ricardo Gareca. Interim supervisor Nicolás Córdova has since made daring strikes, formally ending the cycle of stars like Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sánchez, and Charles Aránguiz. As a substitute, Chile will subject a youthful squad, centered on rebuilding and giving worldwide minutes to gamers reminiscent of Darío Osorio, Lucas Assadi, and Gonzalo Tapia.
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Possible lineups
Brazil: Alisson; Alex Sandro, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Marquinhos, Vanderson; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães; Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, João Pedro.
Chile): Lawrence Vigouroux; Gabriel Suazo, Benjamin Kuscevic, Matías Sepúlveda, Fabián Hormazábal; Rodrigo Echeverría, Felipe Loyola; Darío Osorio, Lucas Assadi, Lucas Cepeda; Gonzalo Tapia.
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Whereas Brazil enters because the heavy favourite, the true intrigue lies in how Ancelotti manages his reshaped squad and which gamers rise to the event. For Chile, this match represents the painful begin of a brand new cycle with out its legends, as La Roja appears to rebuild for future tournaments. Even with nothing at stake for both aspect when it comes to qualification, Thursday’s duel on the Maracanã carries weight as a symbolic turning level for each nations.
