Carlo Ancelotti is set to make his managerial debut with Brazil on Thursday night, as the Selecao head to Guayaquil for a high-stakes clash against a red-hot Ecuadorian side.

Though Brazil sit comfortably six points ahead of Venezuela in the top-six race, their road to the 2026 World Cup hasn’t been smooth sailing. If not for the expanded qualification format, the five-time world champions might have been staring down the barrel of a historic miss.

Ecuador, despite beginning the campaign with a three-point handicap, have stormed up the table. La Tricolor currently sit second only to Argentina, racking up an impressive 26 points on the pitch through 14 outings.

And at home, they've turned their turf into a fortress. Ecuador remain unbeaten in Guayaquil, pulling in 17 points from seven matches and showing no signs of rolling out the welcome mat for Ancelotti's star-studded squad.

Here's everything you need to know about Ecuador vs. Brazil, including TV channel and streaming options for the World Cup qualifier game.

Where to watch Ecuador vs. Brazil: Live stream, TV channel

• TV channel: -
• Live stream: Fanatiz

This match is not available for live TV broadcast in the US. Streaming options are available on Fanatiz.

Ecuador vs. Brazil World Cup qualifier start time

• Date: Thursday, Jun 5, 2025
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT

Ecuador and Brazil will kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 5, from the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Ecuador vs. Brazil predicted lineups, team news

Ecuador have a hugely talented roster, anchored by PSG defender William Pacho, Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie, and Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo. Both Pacho and Caicedo are coming off impressive seasons at the club level, where they were standout performers and central to their side's achievements.

Everything builds around those three defensive stars, but the other pieces are hit or miss. Pervis Estupinan is a key component at wing-back, while Alan Franco and Felix Torres are playing at big clubs in Brazil.

Head coach Sebastian Beccacece has received significant criticism for calling up veteran forwards Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata despite neither being fit to play, so the available attacking options are thin.

Ecuador predicted lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Galindez (GK) — Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie — Franco, Caicedo, Franco, Estupinan — Minda, K. Rodriguez, Campana.

Ecuador injuries: Valencia (thigh), Plata (knee).

Carlo Ancelotti has made a number of key decisions to his first international squad. Most notably, he's left off his former charges at Real Madrid, Rodrygo and Endrick. Also failing to make the squad are midfielders Lucas Paqueta and Joelinton, plus Manchester City's Savinho and Joao Pedro of Brighton.

Neymar has yet to regain full fitness from his litany of muscle issues, while an injury to Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson keeps him off the squad along with Arsenal defender Gabriel. In fact, Brazil are thin at the back due to injuries to Eder Militao and Bremer, a familiar headache for Ancelotti fresh off a Real Madrid season full of fitness concerns.

Brazil predicted lineup (4-3-1-2, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Augusto, Marquinhos, Ortiz, Beraldo — Casemiro, Ederson, B. Guimaraes — Cunha — Raphinha, Vinicius Jr.

Brazil injuries: Ederson, Eder Militao (knee), Bremer (knee), Neymar (fitness).

Ecuador schedule 2025

Here are Ecuador's next two games:

Date	Game	Time (ET)
Jun 5	vs. Brazil	7:00 p.m.
Jun 10	at Peru	9:30 p.m.

Brazil schedule 2025

Here are Brazil's next two games:

Date	Game	Time (ET)
Jun 5	at Ecuador	7:00 p.m.
Jun 10	vs. Paraguay	8:45 p.m.

Related Links

• Latest men's soccer news and rumors
• Latest women's soccer news and rumors
• How to bet on Soccer