Brazil’s road to the 2026 World Cup just got bumpier. The Seleção suffered a 1-0 loss to Paraguay in Asuncion on Tuesday, marking their fourth defeat in just five matches in the South American qualifying stage. This setback leaves Brazil in a precarious fifth position in the standings with only 10 points, tied with Venezuela but ahead on goal difference.
The game’s decisive moment came in the 20th minute when Diego Gomez unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, the ball ricocheting off the post before nestling in the back of the net, past a helpless Alisson. Despite boasting star players like Vinicius Jr., Brazil struggled to find an equalizer, managing only three shots on target, all from the Real Madrid winger.
The Brazilian attack lacked its usual intensity, failing to register a single shot on target in the first half. This disappointing performance comes on the heels of a narrow 1-0 win against Ecuador last week, raising concerns about the team’s form under manager Dorival Jr.
The pressure is mounting on the Brazilian manager to turn things around. Defender Marquinhos, speaking to Reuters, acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “Qualifying isn’t easy, it’s a difficult time, and we have to manage it. We’re going to work hard, getting results on the pitch is the best answer.”
Brazil has a crucial opportunity to recover in their upcoming qualifiers. They face a challenging away match against Chile, followed by a home game against Peru. These matches will be vital for Brazil to secure automatic qualification for the expanded World Cup, as only the top six teams in the South American standings automatically qualify, with the seventh-placed team entering a playoff. The pressure is on for Brazil to regain their form and secure their place in the next World Cup.
