Carlo Ancelotti will make his long-awaited debut as the head coach of Brazil's national team on Thursday when the five-time World Cup winners travel to Ecuador in one of the final matches of South America's World Cup qualifying competition.

Brazil and Ecuador secured their spots at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, taking the second and third of South America's six automatic qualifying berths after champions Argentina booked their ticket in March.

Brazil has held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in a South American World Cup qualifying game that marked Carlo Ancelotti’s debut as national team coach.