Brazil lineup vs. Ecuador: Predicted XI for 2026 World Cup qualifier

The Real Madrid trio of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Endrick could all start in Friday's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

Brazil remain without the services of their all-time record scorer Neymar, who is continuing his rehabilitation from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Head coach Dorival Junior is also unable to call upon Borussia Dortmund right-back Yan Couto and Manchester City attacker Savinho after the pair pulled out of the squad due to their respective injury issues.

Alisson Becker is set to get the nod over Man City's Ederson, with the Liverpool goalkeeper set to earn his 70th international cap in Friday's fixture.

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao sustained a thigh injury in Wednesday's training and has been forced to withdraw from the squad, leaving Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos to make up the central defensive pairing for Friday's contest.

Andre, who missed the Copa America through injury, is set to play his first game since joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from Fluminense on transfer deadline day.

The 23-year-old is likely to be joined in midfield by two other Premier League players, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta.

Meanwhile, Dorival is expected to name an all-Real Madrid forward line in the absence of Raphinha, who will serve a one-match ban for picking up his second yellow card of 2026 World Cup qualifying in Brazil's most recent qualifier against Argentina in November 2023.

Rodrygo will operate from the right flank while Vinicius is set to provide a threat from the left wing, allowing Endrick to take up a central position, with the 18-year-old looking to score his first competitive goal at international level.

Brazil possible starting lineup: Alisson; Danilo, Militao, Gabriel, Arana; Andre, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Endrick