Chile have a must-win game when they take on Brazil in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier.

Brazil return to the Maracana on Thursday night for their final home game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, facing a struggling Chile side who are rooted to the bottom of the table. For Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao, the match is effectively a formality after already securing their spot at the finals, while Chile are simply playing for pride at the end of a nightmare campaign.

Despite booking their ticket to the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer, Brazil’s qualification journey has been far from straightforward. At one stage, the five-time world champions were uncomfortably close to falling outside the automatic qualification places, and they still trail arch-rivals Argentina by a massive ten points.

The standings highlight a clear divide: just three points separate second from sixth, while Argentina have pulled clear at the top. For Brazil, it is a campaign tinged with frustration and inconsistency, compounded by the deduction of three points from Ecuador, who still sit ahead of them in the table.

Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival has steadied the ship somewhat. His reign began with a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Ecuador, followed by a narrow 1-0 home victory over Paraguay. Brazil have now lost just once in their last eight qualifiers, that defeat coming in Buenos Aires against Argentina in Dorival Junior’s final game in charge.

Their turning point came earlier in Santiago, where a dramatic 2-1 win over Chile effectively kept Brazil inside the automatic qualifying places. That result not only provided a psychological lift but also extended Brazil’s dominance over their opponents, who have now suffered five consecutive defeats against the Selecao.

If Brazil’s campaign has been uneven, Chile’s has been an unmitigated disaster. The Rojas’ hopes of reaching the World Cup ended in June when a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia, who played with ten men for more than 70 minutes, mathematically confirmed their third successive failure to qualify for the tournament.

The humiliation at El Alto prompted the resignation of Ricardo Gareca, with Nicolas Cordova stepping in as interim manager for the final two fixtures. His task is daunting: Chile must try to avoid finishing last in the standings, an ignominious end to a qualifying cycle filled with setbacks.

The statistics are damning. Chile have scored only one goal in their eight away qualifiers and have collected just a single point on the road. Even worse, they have failed to score a competitive goal in 2025, underlining the decline of a team that once boasted a golden generation.

History does them few favours either. Chile have beaten Brazil just eight times in 76 previous meetings, with their last win over the Selecão coming more than seven years ago. Against a Brazil side buoyed by home support at the Maracanã, the chances of breaking their barren run appear slim. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti has chosen to rotate his squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers, with little riding on the remaining fixtures after Brazil’s place at the finals was secured. The Italian coach has opted to rest a number of high-profile names from Real Madrid, leaving out Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and young striker Endrick. As a result, Raphinha of Barcelona is the only representative from La Liga included in this month’s squad.

There is a milestone in defence, with captain Marquinhos set to earn his 100th international cap. However, he will be joined by a relatively inexperienced supporting cast, as the other seven defenders in the squad collectively have just 29 caps between them.

Up front, Ancelotti has been forced into a change after Matheus Cunha suffered an injury playing for Manchester United in their win over Burnley last weekend. His absence creates an opportunity for in-form forwards Joao Pedro and Richarlison to compete for the central striker role. Another player has pulled out from the squad, with Vanderson out with an injury.

Brazil are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Chile. Alisson Becker will start in goal, protected by a back four of Wesley Franca at right-back, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes as the central defensive pairing, and Caio Henrique at left-back.

In midfield, Casemiro will anchor alongside Bruno Guimaraes, offering balance between defensive cover and ball progression. Further forward, Raphinha is set to occupy the left wing, with Estevao Willian on the right, while Joao Pedro is expected to feature in a central attacking role just behind the striker. Leading the line, Richarlison should get the nod to spearhead the attack in Cunha’s absence.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Caio Henrique; Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Raphinha; Richarlison

Chile

New interim boss Nicolas Cordova has overseen a radical overhaul of the Chile squad following their disastrous qualifying campaign. After another dismal international window in June, Cordova dropped 13 players from the group previously selected by Ricardo Gareca, including the suspended Francisco Sierralta, who misses out due to disciplinary reasons.

Even more striking is the absence of veteran stalwarts Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, and Charles Aranguiz, who have all been omitted and could be approaching the end of their illustrious international careers. In goal, Brayan Cortes has also been left out, meaning Chile head into this fixture with three completely uncapped goalkeepers.

The squad overall has an unprecedented level of inexperience, with 20 players owning fewer than 10 caps and nine awaiting their senior international debut. This represents a full-scale reset as Chile attempt to rebuild after a disastrous three-year cycle. Meanwhile, like Brazil, Chile have lost a player, with Dario Osorio pulling out of the squad.

Chile are expected to set up in a 4-3-3 formation against Brazil. Between the posts, Thomas Gillier could be handed his first start at senior level. The back four will likely consist of Fabian Hormazabal at right-back, Guillermo Maripan and Benjamin Kuscevic as the central defensive pairing, and Gabriel Suazo at left-back.

In midfield, Vicente Pizarro, Rodrigo Echeverría, and Felipe Loyola should form a youthful trio, tasked with providing energy and defensive support. Further forward, Alexander Aravena is expected to start on the left wing, Ben Brereton Díaz should occupy the central striker’s role, and Matías Tapia could be deployed on the right to complete the front three.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gillier; Hormazabal, Maripan, Kuscevic, Suazo; Pizarro, Echeverria, Loyola; Tapia, Diaz, Aravena

Key Stats

• Brazil and Chile have met 76 times in international football, with Brazil winning 54 of those matches. Chile have only managed eight victories.

• Brazil are unbeaten in their last 17 home qualifiers for the World Cup, winning 14 of those games and scoring at least twice in 12 of them.

• Chile have yet to score a competitive goal in 2025 and have only found the net once in eight away qualifiers during this campaign.

• Brazil have beaten Chile in each of the last five meetings, scoring 11 goals and conceding just two in that span.

• Brazil have lost just one of their last eight World Cup qualifiers, while Chile have won only once in their last 12 competitive matches, a sequence that ultimately ended their hopes of reaching the 2026 finals.

Player to Watch

Richarlison

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With Vinicius Junior not picked and Matheus Cunha sidelined, much of Brazil’s attacking responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Richarlison. The Tottenham Hotspur striker has often been a divisive figure at club level, but in the yellow of the Selecao, he has consistently stepped up in big moments. His record in competitive fixtures speaks for itself, with crucial goals scored at both Copa America and World Cup tournaments.

Richarlison’s strength lies in his versatility. He can play as a central striker, but also drift wide, press defenders aggressively, and create space for teammates like Raphinha and Joao Pedro. Against Chile, a side that has been leaking goals throughout qualifying and has fielded an inexperienced squad under interim boss Nicolas Cordova, Richarlison’s finishing instincts and relentless energy could prove decisive.

Often a player who thrives on confidence, this fixture presents Richarlison with the perfect opportunity to get on the scoresheet, boost his international tally, and reinforce his role as Brazil’s go-to striker in the absence of other headline names. If the Selecao are to maintain their recent dominance over Chile, expect Richarlison to be at the heart of the attacking play at the Maracana.

Prediction

Brazil 3-0 Chile

For Brazil, this fixture offers an opportunity to build confidence and fine-tune under Carlo Ancelotti as they head into the final stretch of qualifiers. For Chile, it is about avoiding yet another bruising defeat to close out a campaign best forgotten. The gulf in quality, form, and mentality between the two sides is vast, and with Brazil already dominant in this fixture’s history, another comfortable win for the Selecao looks inevitable.