A new era of choice begins. Today, Friday, Brazil begins its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Bolivia, in a match that marks the debut of interim coach Fernando Diniz. The match will take place at 9:45pm (Brasilia time), at the Mangueirao Stadium in Belém, Pará.
The match will be broadcast on TV Globo, with narration by Luis Roberto and commentary by Junior and Caio Ribeiro. Sportv broadcasts with narration by Milton Light and commentary by Lidio Carmona and Pedriño. Hey ge It streams live and follows the match in real time, with videos of key moves – click here to watch.
And with the number of direct places for the World Cup increased – there are now six South American teams, plus a potential rehabilitation route – Brazil should not face any risks in the qualifiers. The goal of Diniz and the CBF now is to put together a competitive team with the goal of the 2026 World Cup and reconnect fans with the Seleção, as several players have said in interviews over the past few days.
Brazil is not in good shape this year. They have won just one of the three matches they have played under Ramon Menezes – against Guinea – and are coming off a 4-2 defeat to Senegal in June.
What to expect from Fernando Diniz’s team? Rodrigo Coutinho analysis
Bolivia lost to Ecuador and Panama and tied with Chile in the last FIFA date.
The match in Belem also marks Neymar’s return to the national team. Due to injury, he has not worn the hopscotch since being eliminated from the Qatar Cup by Croatia, in December 2022.
In the last confrontation between the two teams, Brazil defeated Bolivia in La Paz 4-0 in March of last year. In history, there have been 32 confrontations, in which the Brazilians won 23, four draws and five defeats.
- flow: TV Globo and GE are showing the game throughout Brazil with Luis Roberto narrating and commentary by Junior and Caio Ribeiro. Sportv broadcasts with narration by Milton Light and commentary by Lidio Carmona and Pedriño.
- Real time streaming: Hey ge broadcasts the full game and Follow real-time, video of key events, starting at 8:30 p.m. Click here and check it out.
Brazil – Coach: Fernando Diniz
Through only three training sessions with the group, Deniz relied on dialogue and video clips to convey his concepts to the players. He has also benefited from the base already in place in the national team, so much so that he will take to the field a squad containing nine players remaining from the World Cup.
The two new additions are left-back Renan Lodi, who has a chance again with the hopscotch, and defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who will make his debut for Brazil.
Possible lineup: Ederson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Renan Lodi; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Neymar; Rafinha, Rodrigo and Richarlison.
Embezzlement: Pinto, Vinny Jr. (injured) and Anthony (cut due to assault allegations).
Bolivia – Coach: Gustavo Costas
The Bolivians are trying to end their 14-year ban against Brazil, a rival they have never been able to beat away from home.
Striker Marcelo Moreno, an old acquaintance of the Brazilian fans, remains the hope of the Bolivians. At 36 years old, on Friday he will become the player who has played the most caps for the national team.
Bolivia has some young players playing in Brazil, such as Miguelito from Santos, Enzo Montero from the Pixie Under-20 team, as well as Fernando Nava from Atletico.
Bolivia, which occupies penultimate place in the latest qualifiers, is looking forward to competing in the World Cup finals for the fourth time, the last edition of which was in 1994.
Possible lineup: Carlos Lampe; Jairo Quinteros, Adrian Jusino, Marcelo Suarez; Diego Medina, Gabriel Villamil, Luciano Orsino, Victor Abrego, Miguel Terceros; Jaime Arascaeta, Marcelo Moreno.
- to rule: Juan J. Benitez (Paraguay)
- Helpers: Eduardo Cardoso and Melsiades Saldívar (both from Paraguay)
- Fourth ruling: Jose Mendes (Paraguay)
- Video Assistant Referee: Carlos B. Benitez (Paraguay)
“Tv fanatic. Web junkie. Travel evangelist. Wannabe entrepreneur. Amateur explorer. Writer.”
More Stories
Cruzeiro defeats Lanus with Cassio’s miracles and goes to the final of sulla
FIFA signs the first partner for the Super World Cup and sends a message to the rebels
Uruguay explains change in centenary