Having slid straight into the role fresh off his departure from Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti will make his bow in charge of the Brazil national team as they travel to meet a talented Ecuador side in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
Ecuador provide a stiff test for Brazil, as they sit second in the qualifying standings and sport a squad of quality European-based players now in their prime.
Brazil are no longer in true crisis, having climbed to fourth in the standings and within two points of their second-placed hosts. Yet a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of rivals Argentina in March put them in their place, and leaves Ancelotti with little room for error as he steps in.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now just a year away, Brazil have as much focus on securing qualification as they do building for a quality showing in the United States, hoping to keep from embarrassing themselves to the level they did in Qatar.
MORE: Full look at Ancelotti’s first Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador, Paraguay
Ecuador vs. Brazil predicted lineups, team news
Ecuador have a hugely talented roster, anchored by PSG defender William Pacho, Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie, and Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo. Both Pacho and Caicedo are coming off impressive seasons at the club level, where they were standout performers and central to their side’s achievements.
Everything builds around those three defensive stars, but the other pieces are hit or miss. Pervis Estupinan is a key component at wing-back, while Alan Franco and Felix Torres are playing at big clubs in Brazil.
Head coach Sebastian Beccacece has received significant criticism for calling up veteran forwards Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata despite neither being fit to play, so the available attacking options are thin.
Ecuador predicted lineup (Formation, right to left): Galindez (GK) — Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie — Franco, Caicedo, Franco, Estupinan — Minda, K. Rodriguez, Campana.
Ecuador injuries: Valencia (thigh), Plata (knee).
Ecuador full roster
Goalkeepers: David Cabezas, Hernan Galindez, Moises Ramirez, Gonzalo Valle.
Defenders: Xavier Arreaga, Pervis Estupinan, Piero Hincapie, Joel Ordonez, William Pacho, Felix Torres, Cristian Ramirez.
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Denil Castillo, Alan Franco, Yaimer Medina, Alan Minda, Kendry Paez, Gonzalo Plata, Bryan Ramirez, Pedro Vite, John Yeboah.
Forwards: Nilson Angulo, Leonardo Campana, John Mercado, Kevin Rodriguez, Enner Valencia.
Carlo Ancelotti has made a number of key decisions to his first international squad. Most notably, he’s left off his former charges at Real Madrid, Rodrygo and Endrick. Also failing to make the squad are midfielders Lucas Paqueta and Joelinton, plus Manchester City’s Savinho and Joao Pedro of Brighton.
Neymar has yet to regain full fitness from his litany of muscle issues, while an injury to Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson keeps him off the squad along with Arsenal defender Gabriel. In fact, Brazil are thin at the back due to injuries to Eder Militao and Bremer, a familiar headache for Ancelotti fresh off a Real Madrid season full of fitness concerns.
Brazil predicted lineup (4-3-1-2, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Augusto, Marquinhos, Ortiz, Beraldo — Casemiro, Ederson, B. Guimaraes — Cunha — Raphinha, Vinicius Jr.
Brazil injuries: Ederson, Eder Militao (knee), Bremer (knee), Neymar (fitness).
Brazil full roster
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Hugo Souza
Defenders: Alexsandro, Carlos Augusto, Lucas Beraldo, Danilo, Marquinhos, Leo Ortiz, Wesley, Vanderson.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Ederson, Gerson, Bruno Guimaraes, Andreas Pereira, Andrey Santos.
Forwards: Antony, Matheus Cunha, Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr.
Ecuador vs. Brazil score prediction
Brazil should be boosted by the presence of Carlo Ancelotti, who will feel comfortable in a squad of talented players.
Even as the defense is thin, Ancelotti should bring new life to the Brazil midfield and attack, which features a number of players who have gained vital club form of late. This includes the likes of Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, and Bruno Guimaraes, who all had exceptional campaigns in Europe.
Ecuador will be extremely difficult to break down, as their spine consists of exceedingly talented players, but Ancelotti will know how to exploit the hosts’ weaknesses.
Predicted score: Ecuador 1-2 Brazil
Ecuador vs. Brazil: Live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | Date | Kickoff Time | TV | Streaming |
| USA | Thu, Jun. 5 | 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | — | Fanatiz |
| Canada | Thu, Jun. 5 | 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | — | Fanatiz |
| UK | Fri, Jun. 6 | 12 a.m. BST | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Player |
| Australia | Fri, Jun. 6 | 11 a.m. | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | Fri, Jun. 6 | 4:30 a.m. | — | Onefootball |
