Brazil visits Venezuela with Vini Jr, base maintained and chance to achieve success in the Qualifiers

Despite the latest positive results in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian team still has the mission to convey enough confidence and prove itself on the field to resolve doubts about Dorival Júnior’s work. This Thursday, at 6pm, Brazil has another chance to ease tensions when visiting Venezuela, at the Monumental Stadium in Maturín.

“In a year and seven months (deadline for the World Cup), I expect a team that is much stronger and more confident in what we are doing,” said the coach. The Brazilian team occupies fourth place in the Qualifiers, with 16 points, and has Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia and Venezuela as its main competitors for a place in the next World Cup. In this edition, six South American countries qualify for the tournament and there is still a seventh place for the repechage.

According to the results of the previous Qualifiers, the tendency is for Brazil to qualify directly for the World Cup if they gain between six and nine of the 24 points in dispute.

In the previous rounds, Brazil beat Chile, in Santiago, 2-1, and defeated Peru, in Brasília, 4-0. However, the two opponents are last placed in the table. On this FIFA Date, the selection will face higher challenges. Venezuela is undefeated at home in the Qualifiers, with two wins and three draws. The good performance put the wine team in a position to fight for a place in the World Cup.

“In the home games, Venezuela has created a very favorable environment for its team. If we repeat everything that was done in the last matches, we will have a path. Little by little, the Brazilian team has been gaining a little more body. We will still oscillate , but we are in a growth process”, said Dorival.

Given the absence of Rodrygo, who is injured, the coach made just one change to the team compared to the team that defeated Peru in October: Vinícius Júnior returns to the team. “I already had the idea of ​​a repeat. I had no doubts at any point. I count on all of them, as they are very good players, they deserve respect and will have opportunities here”, stated Dorival.

Vini Jr. comes from a great disappointment when he lost the Ballon d’Or award, from France Football magazine, at the end of last month. The athlete’s performance with the Brazilian team may have weighed against him. While Rodri, the winner, was champion with Spain in the European Championship, the Real Madrid striker did poorly with the national team in the last Copa América.

On the Venezuelan side, well-known names in Brazilian football will be on the field. Among them: Nahuel Ferraresi, from São Paulo, José Martínez, from Corinthians, and Jefferson Savarino, from Botafogo, who should be in the starting lineup tonight. “It’s a match for us to put a bang on the table and show what we’re for,” Argentine coach Fernando Batista told DirecTV, who will be suspended for this round and will not be in charge of the home team for having received two yellow cards. His replacement will be assistant and also Argentine Leandro Cufré.