World Cup 2026: Brazil and Colombia Seek to Gain More Ground

Brazil vs Colombia

Brazil and Colombia will clash in a key World Cup 2026 qualifiers match this Thursday at Arena BRB Mané Garrincha. These two sides aim to get as many points as possible this international break to reach the final next summer.

Los Cafeteros and the Selecao look set to make it next year. Colombia are the fourth seed with 19 points, level with the third-seeded Ecuador. Brazil are fifth in the CONMEBOL table with 18 points. However, both teams are not content with their current positions since we still have six matchdays.

Brazil have been one of the most disappointing teams in the qualifiers since they were expected to be higher in the pecking order. Dorival Junior’s side needs this win to help them gear up for another blockbuster clash with Argentina next Tuesday.

​Continue reading below for the SBOTOP preview of his contest.

 

Talking Points

Surprise omissions for Brazil

Brazil will look much different, as Dorival Junior made surprising calls this international break. Neymar was called up after a 17-month layoff but has been forced to withdraw due to injuries, and Real Madrid’s Endrick will take his spot.

Ederson (from Atalanta), Igor Jesus, Lucas Paqueta, Lucas Moura, Gabriel Martinelli, and Oscar are among the surprise omissions. Richarlison, Ederson (from Manchester City), Bremer, Danilo, and Eder Militao are also out due to injury setbacks.

Some notable (new) additions include Lyon’s Lucas Perri, Nottingham Forest’s Murillo, Flamengo’s Wesley Franca and Leo Ortiz, Palmeiras’ Estevao Willian, and Brighton’s Joao Pedro. They will look to leave a lasting impression.

Alisson will be the man between the sticks, and he’ll have Marquinhos, Vanderson, Alex Sandro, and Gabriel Magalhaes in front of him for the Selecao’s back four. Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, fresh from their EFL Cup triumph, will lead in midfield. Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Raphinha will link up in the final third. Vinicius Junior hasn’t scored for Brazil in a while, so look for him to be aggressive against Colombia.

 

Same faces for Colombia

Head coach Nestor Lorenzo will stick to his core players this international break, with James Rodriguez taking the captain’s armband. 

David Ospina, with 128 caps, will likely reprise his role as the team’s first-choice goalie. Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, Daniel Munoz, and Jhon Lucumi will form the back four. Johan Mojica, Jefferson Lerma, and Richard Rios will hold it down at midfield. James Rodriguez will pull the strings behind Luis Diaz and Jhon Duran.

Diaz’s form in the final third has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks with Liverpool, so he’ll aim to regain his confidence this international break. Meanwhile, Duran remains with the national team despite his winter transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Rafael Santos Borre and Jhon Cordoba will be their primary backups.

Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma have been key to Crystal Palace’s recent resurgence. The Eagles are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals after beating Millwall 3-1 and have won three straight Premier League matches.

 

History

Brazil are winless in their last two games against Colombia. These two sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw during last year’s Copa America group stage, as Raphinha and Daniel Munoz scored one goal each. Before this, Colombia defeated Brazil 2-1 during matchday 5 of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers last November 2023, as Luis Diaz’s second-half brace overturned the one-goal deficit created by Gabriel Martinelli during the fourth minute.

The Selecao have always qualified for the World Cup and are one of the winningest nations with five gold medals (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002). However, they have failed to advance past the quarter-finals in their last two appearances in 2018 and 2022.

Los Cafeteros did not qualify for the World Cup in 2022. Their highest World Cup finish was in the quarter-finals in 2014, where they eventually lost to hosts Brazil.

 

Betting Tip

The World Cup 2026 odds back the Selecao to win this Thursday. Brazil are 1.74 favourites to win, while Colombia are 4.40 underdogs, and a draw is priced at 3.14 in the 1X2 market. Brazil will likely capitalise on Colombia’s recent struggles to tack on more points since Dorival Junior’s side has shown signs of improvement during the previous international break.

Both sides can put up new World Cup 2026 highlights this Thursday. Besides our recommended bet above, bettors can also go for alternatives like Over 2.00 at 1.77, Over 2.25 at 2.07, and Total Goals 2-3 at 1.99. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 1-1 – the result of their most recent meeting – is valued at 6.60 your bet.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.