Brazil are just one step away from punching their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, but first, they'll have to navigate a tricky test in Quito against an in-form Ecuador side sitting second in the CONMEBOL standings.
Ecuador, who haven't missed a beat in this qualifying campaign, hold a comfortable cushion, nine points clear of Bolivia in eighth and eight ahead of Venezuela in the playoff spot, with just four matches left. Their last outing was a cagey 0-0 draw with Chile in Santiago, but their consistency has kept them firmly in the race.
As for the Selecao, it's a new era under Carlo Ancelotti, the first-ever permanent foreign coach of Brazil. The five-time world champions have had a muddled couple of years, but Ancelotti's arrival is seen as a major step forward. Qualification feels like a formality, but making a serious push in 2026 will take much more than reputation alone.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
How to watch Ecuador vs Brazil online - TV channels & live streams
 | Fanatiz | Watch here |
The match will be shown live on Fanatizin the United States. Live updates can be found here on GOAL.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.
Ecuador vs Brazil kick-off time
The match will be played at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with kick-off at 7:00 pm ET or 4:00 pm PT for fans in the US.
Team news & squads
Ecuador vs Brazil lineups
4-4-2
Formation
4-3-3
BRAECU-Line up
ECUSubstitutes
Manager
S. Beccacece
BRA-Line up
BRASubstitutes
Manager
C. Ancelotti
Injuries and Suspended players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Ecuador team news
The hosts boast a settled lineup under Seba Beccacece, with only a handful of fringe players absent this time. Familiar faces like Champions League winner Willian Pacho and Chelsea's Moises Caicedo are all expected to start.
Enner Valencia, now 35, continues to be Ecuador's go-to man in front of goal, having found the net five times during the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
Since departing England in 2017, the veteran striker has lit up leagues in Mexico, Turkey, and now Brazil, where he leads the line for Internacional. However, his availability for Thursday's high-stakes clash in Guayaquil hangs in the balance, as he nurses a thigh issue.
Leonardo Campana (hamstring) and Gonzalo Plata (knee) are also injury concerns, leaving Ecuador sweating over key attacking options ahead of Brazil's visit.
Brazil team news
Injuries and fitness concerns have sidelined Rodrygo and Neymar, while Vinicius Junior remains the only Real Madrid representative in the squad, despite Ancelotti claiming his Brazil side will mirror the Spanish giants' style. Both Eder Militao and rising star Endrick also miss out.
There's a noticeable dip in Premier League representation, too. After over half the squad came from England's top flight in March, only seven EPL-based players make the cut this time, with the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, Joao Gomes, Joao Pedro, Andre, and Murillo among the notable omissions.
Form
ECU-Form
ECU- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 7/1
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 2/5
- Both teams scored
- 1/5
BRA-Form
BRA- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 9/7
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 3/5
- Both teams scored
- 4/5
Head-to-Head Record
ECULast 5 matches
BRA0
Wins
2
Draws
3
Wins
Goals scored
7- Games over 2.5 goals
- 0/5
- Both teams scored
- 2/5