Overview

• After departing Real Madrid in May, Ancelotti steps into the Brazil hotseat and will face Ecuador in his first World Cup qualifying match on June 5.
• Brazil currently occupy fourth in the CONMEBOL standings, ten points behind Argentina and need to finish in the top six for direct entry to the 2026 World Cup.
• Ecuador sit second with only two defeats, boosted by a defence led by European-based stars William Pacho, Piero Hincapié and Moisés Caicedo.
• Ancelotti has emphasised a compact tactical setup and singled out Vinícius Júnior as a focal point to help the forward rediscover his Real Madrid form.
• Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos believes the club’s treble-winning template for collective focus and energy offers a blueprint for Brazil’s revival.