Brazil will be looking to maintain their ever-present World Cup record as the road to the 2026 tournament starts with a home game against Bolivia in South American qualification.
With the 2022 World Cup played as a winter tournament in the Northern Hemisphere, schedules have been tweaked, and CONMEBOL has divided qualifying matches up across the next three years.
Qualification from South America is notoriously difficult, with Brazil and the other nine sides involved set to play 18 games to try to secure a spot at the competition, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026. Things are slightly different this time, though, given the finals have been expanded from 32 to 48 teams and potentially seven could get there from the CONMEBOL section.
Brazil are the most successful side in World Cup history with five titles, and they are the only nation to qualify for every edition of the tournament since 1930.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with highlights, commentary as Brazil begin 2026 World Cup qualifying
Brazil vs Bolivia lineups
Fernando Diniz replaced Ramon Menezes as Brazil's second interim head coach inside the past six months as their post-World Cup fallout continues.
The The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is yet to appoint a permanent successor to Tite, with Diniz only agreeing a one-year contract, as links to a 2024 move for Carlo Ancelotti continue to grow.
Below are the confirmed starting lineups for both teams ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Estadio Olimpico do Para, in Belem, Brazil on September 8.
MORE: Where is FIFA World Cup 2026? Host countries, cities for next men's tournament
Brazil starting 11
Brazil starting XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson (GK) — Danilo, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Lodi — Casemiro, Guimaraes — Raphinha, Neymar, Rodrygo — Richarlison.
- Injured: Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao.
- Suspended: None.
Despite the protests of his Al Hilal coaching staff, Diniz has deployed Neymar from the start, while Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr misses out due to injury.
The other major pre-game news concerns Manchester United winger Antony, who has been removed from the squad amid domestic violence allegations being investigated both in Brazil and by Greater Manchester Police.
Bolivia starting 11
Bolvia starting XI (5-4-1): Viscarra (GK) — Bejarano, Medina, Quinteros, Jusino, R. Fernandez — Arrascaita, M. Suarez, Cespedes, Villamil, — M. Martins.
- Injured: None
- Suspended: None
Bolivia are the lowest-ranked team in CONMEBOL qualifying (83rd) and they have not reached the World Cup since 1994. Captain Marcelo Moreno is the key star in a largely domestic-based squad with the striker ending 2022 qualifying as top scorer, with 10 goals.
How to watch Brazil vs Bolivia
- Date: Friday, September 8 (local)
- Time: 1:45 a.m. BST (Sep 9) / 8:45 p.m. ET (Sep 8)
- Live stream: None
Individual nations within CONMEBOL will have broadcast agreements in place with domestic operators, with Globo and SporTV covering this fixture in Brazil.
This match will not be available as things stand for most of the territories listed above. However, a late agreement means fans in the United States will be able to live stream the match via ViX, or watch on TV on Telemundo — which is also available to Fubo subscribers.
Streaming service Fanatiz will be offering live access to other qualifiers for fans in the USA and Canada.
