Carlo Ancelotti has made an immediate impact as Brazil's head coach, securing the nation's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 victory over Paraguay on Tuesday night in Sao Paulo.

The win marks Ancelotti's first victory at the helm of the Selecao after his debut match ended in a goalless draw against Ecuador last Thursday. Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior proved to be the difference-maker, scoring the match's only goal in the second half.

Guaranteed Qualification

With this result, Brazil has accumulated 25 points with only two rounds of qualifying matches remaining. This tally guarantees the five-time World Cup champions one of CONMEBOL's six automatic qualification spots for the tournament.

The qualification maintains Brazil's perfect record of never having missed a World Cup since the tournament's inception, further cementing their status as the only nation to have participated in every edition of football's most prestigious competition.

Currently, only defending champions Argentina and Ecuador have joined Brazil in securing their places at the 2026 World Cup from South America's rigorous 18-game qualifying schedule.

Ancelotti's New Challenge

Ancelotti, who recently transitioned from his role at Real Madrid, has previously expressed his enthusiasm about preparing Brazil for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

"I can't wait to prepare Brazil for the 2026 World Cup in the USA," Ancelotti had stated before taking charge of the national team. His appointment has been met with high expectations, given his illustrious career managing top European clubs.

The Italian tactician made headlines with his squad selections, notably dropping Neymar and Rodrygo from his first Brazil squad, signaling his intention to build the team according to his vision.

With qualification now secured, Ancelotti will have the luxury of using the remaining qualifying matches to experiment with tactics and player combinations as he prepares for the ultimate challenge of bringing the World Cup trophy back to Brazil after a 24-year drought.

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