Carlo Ancelotti confirms Raphinha's starting role in Brazil-Paraguay

Raphinha will return with Brazil for the decisive match against Paraguay (early Wednesday morning in Spain) corresponding to matchday 16 of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. In the pre-match press conference, Carlo Ancelotti did not skimp on praise for the FC Barcelona winger.

"Raphinha is back and that is good news for us because, in this last season, he has shown that he is one of the best footballers of today. He will certainly help us a lot," commented 'Carletto' referring to the 28-year-old striker.

In addition, he assured that he is "a very important player" for Brazil, for which he has a reserved place in his XI. Rafa served a one-match suspension in the match against Ecuador (0-0), where the team missed him.

And, in Ancelotti's debut in Quito, the 'scratch' barely rescued a goalless draw in a very physical match in which the Ecuadorians were slightly superior. With this, Brazil has only one victory in its last five matches.

Brazil recovers Raphinha, its Pichichi in the South American qualifier

At the moment, the '11' azulgrana is the top scorer of the 'verdeamarela' in the South American qualifier with 5 goals, one less than Leo Messi (Argentina) and Luis Díaz (Colombia).

Although his last presentation (the 4-1 defeat against Argentina) was disappointing, Raphinha has been the best of Brazil in a very poor qualifier where up to three coaches have passed through his bench.

In total, the Barça winger has participated in 7 of the 20 goals scored by the seleçao (35%). In addition, the Porto Alegre native is coming off his best season as a professional, with an impressive goalscoring production (34 goals, 23 assists) with Hansi Flick's side that have earned him his imminent nomination for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

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Raphinha seeks to seal Brazil's qualification for the 2026 World Cup

The seleçao, despite its irregularity, is one win away from sealing its qualification for the next World Cup, as long as Venezuela is defeated in Montevideo against Uruguay.

Although it only has 22 points out of a possible 45, 12 behind leader Argentina, the 'scratch' has benefited from having two extra direct places for the 2026 World Cup. Of the ten CONMEBOL teams, six advance directly and the seventh-placed team (for now, Venezuela) will go to the play-offs.

However, a new slip-up by Brazil at home against Paraguay, added to a shock by the 'vinotinto' in Uruguay, would tighten the table again, with only a couple of points difference between seventh and fourth place, as long as Colombia is defeated in their visit to Argentina.

In September, the last two matchdays of the qualifier will be played, with Brazil hosting Chile and traveling to Bolivia. Those from the highlands still have options to get into the play-offs, while the Australians, last in the table, are almost eliminated, as is Peru.