2026 WCQ: Ancelotti Secures Brazil’s World Cup Spot With Victory Over Paraguay

Carlo Ancelotti secured Brazil’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup in his debut match as head coach.

The Selecao earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay on Tuesday night in São Paulo.

It marked Ancelotti’s first victory, following a goalless draw against Ecuador last Thursday.

Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior scored the decisive goal in the second half.

The result moves Brazil to 25 points, with just two rounds of qualifiers remaining.

The win guarantees the five-time World Cup champions one of CONMEBOL’s six automatic qualification spots.

Brazil remain the only nation to have qualified for every World Cup in the tournament’s history.

So far, only defending champions Argentina and Ecuador have also secured their places through South America’s 18-game qualifying campaign.