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Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Dorival Junior’s side will be without some of their best players when Brazil face Chile in what should be a must-win match for the Selecao.

Brazil’s place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is anything but secure. The five-time World Cup winners are currently in fifth place after eight CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. So far, Brazil has only managed 10 points out of 24 and has suffered defeats to Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay.

The Selecao must take home three points against Chile, but the team will have to do it without Vinícius Júnior, Éder Militão, Alisson, Bremer and Guilherme Arana. All five players are nursing injuries and will be unavailable to play during the October international break. Dorival Junior now has the tough task of replacing his superstars.

This is what the Brazilian team could look like against Chile on October 10.

GK: Ederson—The goalkeeper will make his first start for Brazil since October 2023 as Alisson recovers from a hamstring injury.

RB: Danilo—The Brazil captain has played every minute of the Selecao’s last six league games and has become one of Dorival Junior’s most trusted players.

CB: Marquinhos—The Paris Saint-Germain man will earn his 92nd cap for Brazil next Thursday.

CB: Gabriel—After just one appearance for Brazil at Copa América 2024 will see Gabriel get the chance to play alongside Marquinhos in the wake of Militão’s thigh injury. The centre-back will be Brazil’s main target on set pieces.

LB: Abner—Without Arana, Abner could be in with a chance of winning his first senior cap for Brazil.

CM: André—The Wolves midfielder may have missed the 2024 Copa America, but he started against Ecuador and Paraguay in Brazil’s two most recent qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

CM: Bruno Guimarães—The midfielder’s accurate passing and defensive efforts give his side the advantage over Chile. However, he could well find himself on the bench if Dorival Junior looks for a more attack-oriented formation.

CM: Lucas Paquetá—Paquetá must use his creativity to get Brazil on the scoresheet, something the Selecao failed to do against Paraguay in September.

RW: Raphinha—Raphinha is perhaps the most in-form Brazilian player in the world at the moment. The 27-year-old comes into the game with six goals in 11 appearances for Barcelona. While Raphinha is likely to start on the wing, Dorival Junior could also drop him into midfield to give him more freedom, especially if manager Savinho wants to start.

ST: Igor Jesus—The striker job is up for grabs and Igor Jesus looks set to take on the role of Real Madrid’s Endrick.

LW: Rodrygo—Without Vinícius Júnior in the team, Rodrygo can start in his favorite position. The Brazilian previously played on the right flank and as a number 9 during the September international break.

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