Brazil will look to reclaim momentum in the South American World Cup qualifiers when they host Uruguay on Tuesday night.
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With Brazil sitting fourth and Uruguay second in the standings, the stakes are high, even at this stage of the campaign.
Match Preview
Brazil has had a turbulent qualification journey, managing five wins, two draws, and four losses from 11 matches.
This leaves them fourth in the table with 17 points, five behind leaders Argentina. However, a win against Uruguay could propel them closer to second place.
In their last outing, Brazil settled for a 1-1 draw with Venezuela, with Raphinha scoring before the hosts equalized.
This result came after a challenging few matches, including back-to-back defeats against Uruguay—one in the 2024 Copa America quarter-finals and another in October’s qualifier.
Brazil’s golden history, including five World Cup victories, feels distant, as the team has struggled to make an impact since their last triumph in 2002. Their last two World Cup campaigns ended in quarter-final exits, and they now aim to reassert their dominance on the international stage.
Uruguay, in contrast, enters this match on the back of a dramatic 3-2 victory over Colombia. Manuel Ugarte’s stoppage-time strike sealed the win, lifting Marcelo Bielsa’s side to second place, just three points behind Argentina.
Uruguay’s campaign so far boasts five wins, four draws, and two losses, showcasing their resilience and attacking flair.
Bielsa’s men have defeated Brazil in their last two meetings, adding a psychological edge to their form. The Sky Blues, who last won the World Cup in 1950, are determined to make a mark in 2026 after a quarter-final exit in 2022.
Team News
Brazil’s squad is riddled with injuries and suspensions. Vanderson is out due to suspension, while Guilherme Arana, Alisson Becker, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo are sidelined with injuries.
Danilo is expected to replace Vanderson in defense, while Igor Jesus will lead the attack alongside Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Savinho.
Uruguay could make a single change, with Ugarte likely to start after his heroics against Colombia.
Darwin Nunez will spearhead the attack, supported by Facundo Pellistri and other key players like Valverde and Araujo. Bielsa is expected to field a mostly unchanged lineup to maintain momentum.
Possible Lineups
Brazil: Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Abner; Gerson, Guimaraes; Savinho, Raphinha, Vinicius; I. Jesus
Uruguay: Rochet; Nandez, Gimenez, Olivera, Saracchi; Ugarte, Valverde; Pellistri, Aguirre, Araujo; Nunez
Prediction
This clash promises intensity, with Brazil looking to bounce back and Uruguay eager to continue their dominance.
Brazil’s inconsistency makes this a challenging match, and Uruguay’s form suggests they could earn at least a point. Expect a closely fought draw at the final whistle.
