The curtain rises on Matchday 15 of World Cup qualifying with Carlo Ancelotti's first dance in Brazil.

Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti's eagerly awaited debut as Brazil coach, following his departure from Real Madrid, will be this Thursday against Ecuador (6 pm, with RCN and Caracol TV), who are looking to spoil his debut and seal their qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a huge victory that will establish them among the best national teams of the moment.

Ancelotti will write the first chapter of his Canarinha adventure in one of the toughest places on the continent, where no team has so far been able to win away from home in qualifying against an Ecuador that boasts the tournament's best defense, having conceded five goals in fourteen matches.

"We're convinced that the quality we have must be demonstrated both individually and collectively. I think we can compete, try to win, and play a complete match," said the Italian.

With four matches remaining in qualifying, Ancelotti took charge of Brazil with the team in fifth place with 21 points, two behind second-place Ecuador.

In previous qualifiers, this situation would have been agonizing and critical for the five-time world champion, but the six direct spots available this time allow the coach to have a more comfortable landing for his first experience in international football.

Although the Italian has only led three training sessions for the Verdeamarela before the game with Ecuador, he has a deep understanding of several players he has already coached during his coaching career at Europe's most elite clubs, such as Vinícius Júnior, Casemiro, and Richarlison.

Ecuador, meanwhile, will be without captain and top scorer Enner Valencia, who has scored five goals in the last eight qualifying matches, due to injury.

Ecuador's coach Sebastián Beccacece will also be without winger Gonzalo Plata. Striker Leonardo Campana is also doubtful.

Chile, needing a miraculous victory to maintain its chances of making the playoffs, faces world champions Argentina at the Estadio Nacional. They have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and will have their captain, Lionel Messi, back in the fold. La Roja needs to beat Argentina at home to avoid missing out on a third consecutive World Cup qualifier, but they have only managed to do so once in their history in World Cup qualifying, in 2008.

Ricardo Gareca's team is in last place, occupies tenth place with 10 points, and cannot rely on itself to maintain its chances of fighting for seventh place.

Argentina will also be without its star player. Coach Lionel Scaloni is dealing with six absences, some of them regulars in his starting lineup, due to the suspensions of Nicolás González, Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Otamendi, and Enzo Fernández. Alexis Mac Allister and Gio Lo Celso are also out due to injury.

Scaloni took the opportunity to name new talents, such as River Plate striker Franco Mastantuono, the newest promise of Argentine football at 17; defenders Kevin Lomónaco of Independiente and Mariano Troilo of Belgrano; and Valentín Barco, a defender for Strasbourg in France.

Paraguay's team, at full strength, will host Uruguay (6 p.m., Ditu TV), which has been hit by significant injuries, to fight for a victory that will allow them to earn three points and close in on qualification for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

With a win, the team led by Argentine Gustavo Alfaro, who is fourth with 21 points, will be within striking distance of qualifying, initially for the playoffs, although the objective will depend on other results from the matchday and the visit to Brazil on the 10th of next week.

Paraguay's probable lineup includes the return of captain and defender Gustavo Gómez, who has overcome the right knee injury that kept him out of the previous two qualifying matches.

Uruguay, third and with the same number of points, will enter the match with the significant absences of Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde due to a lower back injury; Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez; and Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur due to suspensions. Goalkeeper Sergio Rochet will also be out due to injury, and will be replaced by Junior's goalkeeper Santiago Mele.