Brazil’s national team is facing a crucial juncture in their World Cup qualifying campaign. After a string of underwhelming performances, including a lackluster 1-0 win over Ecuador and a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay earlier this month, pressure is mounting on coach Dorival Júnior. The team currently sits in a disappointing fifth place in the South American qualifying table, with only the top four teams guaranteed automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
To bolster their attack and turn the tide, Júnior has opted for a potent Real Madrid trio in his squad for the upcoming matches against Chile on October 10th and Peru five days later. Vinicius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Endrick, all established stars at the Santiago Bernabéu, are expected to lead the line in these crucial encounters. The inclusion of the young and promising Endrick, who recently signed with Real Madrid, is particularly noteworthy, adding further firepower to the Brazilian attack.
Despite the potential for a formidable attacking force, Brazil’s hopes are hampered by the continued absence of Neymar. The star forward, who suffered an ACL injury last year, is still sidelined and won’t be available for these crucial qualifiers. His return remains uncertain, adding another layer of concern for Júnior and his team.
Chile and Peru, who currently occupy the bottom two spots in the qualifying table, are no pushovers. These matches will be critical for Brazil’s hopes of returning to winning ways and securing their place in the 2026 World Cup. The pressure is on Júnior and his squad to deliver a strong performance, as anything less could further jeopardize their World Cup ambitions.
