Five-time world champions Brazil face off against Chile in their final home 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Maracana on Thursday.
It has been a topsy-turvy ride for the Brazilians, who are now under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti, while Chile will be keen to say goodbye to a disastrous campaign wherein they have failed to qualify for the expanded World Cup next year.
The Selecao can head into their final two matches having just about secured their place at next year's main event back in June. However, that does not take away from the fact that it has been far from a vintage campaign for Ancelotti's men.
Not only did Brazil spend some time hovering dangerously close to missing out on the top six places, but they still find themselves a massive 10 points behind their eternal rivals Argentina in the qualification standings.
There are only three points between second and sixth, illustrating the gulf between Argentina and the rest, but Brazil will be disappointed to finish on such a low points tally, sitting behind Ecuador, who have had three points deducted.
Despite the disappointing qualification campaign, Ancelotti has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his tenure as head coach. The Italian started with a 0-0 draw in Ecuador and a 1-0 home win over Paraguay.
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On the other hand, Chile come into this encounter knowing full well that their chances of qualifying for the next World Cup are mathematically over.
Following an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Bolivia in June, Ricardo Gareca stepped down as head coach and was replaced by Under-20s boss Nicolas Cordova, who takes interim charge for the final two qualifiers with the sole objective of avoiding a wooden-spoon finish.
However, even that looks improbable as Chile are yet to score a competitive goal in 2025, and it does not look like Brazil will give them a chance to do so either.
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Brazil vs. Chile lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, rosters
Ancelotti has done his former club Real Madrid a favour and left Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Endrick at home for this month's qualifiers. This also means that Barcelona's Raphinha is the only La Liga player in the squad.
Marquinhos is set to make his 100th appearance for the Selecao, but he will do so alongside inexperienced players, because the other seven defenders called up to the squad have a combined 29 caps between them.
In attack, Matheus Cunha of Manchester United is set to miss this game due to a muscle injury sustained in the win over Burnley, leaving the door open for in-form duo Joao Pedro and Richarlison to battle for a starting spot.
Brazil predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Caio Henrique — Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro — Estevao, Raphinha, Martinelli — Joao Pedro
Brazil full roster:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Hugo Souza
Defenders: Alexsandro, Alex Sandro, Caio Henrique, Douglas Santos, Fabricio Bruno, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Vitinho, Wesley
Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Jean Lucas, Joelinton, Lucas Paqueta
Forwards: Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Joao Pedro, Kaio Jorge, Luiz Henrique, Raphina, Richarlison, Samuel Lino.
Following a dismal performance in June, new Chile boss Cordova dropped 13 players from the previous squad picked by Gareca, including the suspended Francisco Sierralta.
Veteran trio Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz have all been left out and could be looking at the end of their international careers, while Brayan Cortes will also not be involved, meaning all three goalkeepers are uncapped.
Ben Brereton Diaz is back in the roster, the striker — loaned to Derby County from Southampton just before the transfer deadline — having not played for Chile since last year.
Chile predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Gillier (GK) — Hormazabal, Maripan, Kuscevic, Suazo — Osorio, Echeverria, Loyola — Tapia, Brereton Diaz, Aravena
Chile full roster
Goalkeepers: Thomas Gillier, Vicente Reyes, Lawrence Vigouroux
Defenders: Guillermo Maripan, Paulo Diaz, Gabriel Suazo, Benjamin Kuscevic, Fabian Hormazabal, Ian Garguez, Esteban Matus, Ivan Roman, Matias Sepulveda
Midfielders: Rodrigo Echeverria, Loyola, Pizarro, Lucas Assadi, Cesar Perez, Javier Altamirano, Luciano Cabral, Ignacio Saavedra,
Forwards: Ben Brereton Diaz, Alexander Aravena, Dario Osorio, Lucas Cepeda, Gonazlo Tapia, Bruno Barticciotto, Maximiliano Gutierrez, Emiliano Ramos
Brazil vs. Chile match details
- Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
- Kickoff time: 10:30 p.m. local / 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 a.m. AEST (Sep. 5)
- Location: Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Rio (Brazil)
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
- Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN)