Brazil faces Ecuador in search of recovery in the Qualifiers

This Friday (06), the Brazilian National Team, coached by Dorival Junior, will host the Ecuadorian national team at the Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba-PR for the 7th round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. With a renewed team compared to the one that played in the Copa América, Brazil, which is in sixth place in the standings, is looking to rehabilitate itself in the competition. This will be the first game of the Qualifiers in which Dorival will coach the Brazilian National Team.

In search of rehabilitation

Without a win in four games in the Qualifiers, Brazil will face the Ecuadorian national team in search of recovery. Under the interim command of Fernando Diniz, the team beat Bolivia 5-1 in the first round, but has not won again since. Dorival has led the team in 8 games so far, four of which have been friendlies and four in the Copa América, and will make his debut in the Qualifiers.

If they win, Brazil will surpass Ecuador, today's opponent, and Venezuela, which lost this Thursday (05) to Bolivia by 4×0. Brazil is in sixth place and, with the increase from 4 to 6 teams with direct qualification and one for the play-off, Brazil is still in the qualifying zone for the 2026 World Cup, which will have, for the first time, three hosts: Mexico, Canada and the United States.

_{Training Day (Reproduction/Rafael Ribeiro/Instagram/@CBF)}

Changes

With 13 changes compared to the squad for the Copa América, held in the United States this year, Dorival is trying to renew the national team. The main changes are in the attack: Evanilson, Gabriel Martinelli, Pepê, Raphinha and Savinho are out, making way for the young Estêvão (Palmeiras) and Luiz Henrique (Botafogo). Pedro (Flamengo) was called up, but got injured during training with the national team, making way for Brighton's striker, João Pedro. Among the new additions to this squad is the return of São Paulo's striker, Lucas.

Probable lineups and where to watch

Brazil and Ecuador will face each other at the Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Paraná, starting at 10:00 p.m. (Brasília time). Coach Dorival should start with the following probable lineup: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Arana; André, Bruno Guimarães and Paquetá; Luiz Henrique, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr.

Coach Sebastián Beccacece is expected to field the following players: Hernán Galíndez; Angelo Preciado, Félix Torres, Piero Hincapié, Pervis Estupiñán; Carlos Gruezo, Alan Franco, Kendry Páez; Moisés Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento, Enner Valencia. Argentine referee Facundo Tello will referee the game. Rede Globo will broadcast the game live on free-to-air TV, while SporTV will broadcast it on pay TV.

Featured Photo: Brazilian National Team Coach Dorival Júnior (Reproduction/Rafael Ribeiro/CBF/instagram/@CBF)