Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign has experienced its fair share of challenges, but the team, under the guidance of head coach Dorival Júnior, is slowly regaining momentum. After a winless run of four matches (D1, L3) leading up to Júnior’s appointment in January 2024, Brazil also endured a quarter-final exit at the Copa América last summer. However, recent form has shown promise, with the South American giants losing only one of their last six qualifiers (W3, D2). With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Brazil is now well-positioned to secure their place in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Brazil enters the latest round of qualifiers in fifth place in the CONMEBOL standings, with a five-point cushion over seventh-placed Bolivia. The five-time World Cup champions have demonstrated defensive resilience, having not conceded more than one goal in any of their last 11 matches. This solid foundation leaves them on track to continue their unparalleled record of qualifying for every World Cup to date.
Meanwhile, Colombia has had a rocky patch after an impressive unbeaten start to the qualifiers (W4, D4). Néstor Lorenzo’s team has won just one of their last five matches, but they still sit a point above Brazil pre-round. With five points needed from their remaining six qualifiers, Colombia will be hoping to secure their return to the World Cup after missing out in 2022.
The reverse fixture between Brazil and Colombia in November 2023 saw Los Cafeteros come out on top with a 2-1 victory, extending their unbeaten run against Brazil to two matches under Lorenzo’s leadership (W1, D1). However, Colombia has yet to defeat Brazil on their home soil, with only four wins from their 37 previous meetings (D12, L21). A victory here would be historic for Colombia, potentially marking a significant turning point for their team.
Key Players to Watch:
- Raphinha: The Brazilian winger has been in superb form, scoring three goals in his last three international appearances, including a goal in their recent Copa América match against Colombia.
- Jhon Durán: Colombia’s forward has been a key player but has accumulated four yellow cards in the current qualification cycle, with all of them coming in the second half.
Hot Stat:
The last 17 meetings between Brazil and Colombia have all been decided by a single goal margin, highlighting the tight nature of their encounters.
As both teams battle for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup, this upcoming qualifier promises to be another thrilling chapter in South American football.
