Brazil has officially secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, solidifying their status as the only nation to have qualified for every edition of the tournament since its inception. The qualification was confirmed after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Paraguay at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

The winning goal came courtesy of Vinicius Junior in the 44th minute of the match. A close-range tap-in following a pass from Matheus Cunha was enough to secure the win. The victory was particularly sweet for Carlo Ancelotti, marking his first win as Brazil's head coach and on his home debut.

The match against Paraguay saw Brazil fielding a strong lineup, including Alisson in goal, Vanderson, Marquinhos, Alexsandro, and Alex Sandro in defense, Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, and Raphinha, Martinelli, Vinicius Jr., and Matheus Cunha in attack. This formation, a 4-2-3-1, allowed for both defensive stability and attacking prowess, which ultimately proved sufficient to overcome a stubborn Paraguayan side.

Despite Brazil's dominance in possession and numerous attempts on goal, Paraguay's defense held firm for much of the match. However, Vinicius Junior's decisive goal just before halftime broke the deadlock and sent the home crowd into raptures. The second half saw Brazil maintaining control of the game, although they were unable to add to their lead. A late substitution saw Danilo replace Vanderson in the 89th minute.

The victory places Brazil in a comfortable position in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, sitting third with 25 points from 16 matches. With the top six teams automatically qualifying for the World Cup, Brazil's qualification is now mathematically assured.

The road to qualification wasn't always smooth for Brazil. Under former manager Dorival Junior, the team had a shaky start to the CONMEBOL qualifiers, managing only three victories in their first eight matches. This raised concerns about their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. However, the team turned things around, eventually finding their form and securing crucial results.

While the win against Paraguay was a team effort, special mention must be made of Vinicius Junior, whose goal proved to be the difference between the two sides. However, concern arose when Vinicius Junior limped off during the match.

With their place at the 2026 World Cup now secured, Brazil can begin preparations for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the only nation to have participated in every World Cup, Brazil will be looking to add to their impressive record and potentially secure a record-extending sixth title.