As excitement builds for the upcoming face-off, Brazil and Colombia will clash in the 13th round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The match, scheduled to take place at 7:45 PM local time at the renowned Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília, promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams strive for crucial points in their quest for World Cup qualification.
Brazil enters this match as a formidable opponent, currently sitting in fifth place in the qualifying standings with 18 points. Under the guidance of head coach Dorival Júnior, the Brazilian squad looks to leverage their home advantage. The team boasts an impressive record, having scored 12 goals in front of their fans during this qualification campaign alone, making them the most potent attacking force at home.
On the other hand, Colombia, coached by Néstor Lorenzo, finds themselves in a tighter position, currently sitting in fourth place with 19 points. Fresh from a challenging spell, Colombia has experienced recent defeats, including a setback against Ecuador, which has heightened the stakes for their upcoming encounter with Brazil. Their last significant victory was a commanding 4-0 win against Chile in Barranquilla back in October 2024.
The last time these two teams faced each other was on July 2, 2024, during the Copa América, where they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Raphinha scored for Brazil, while Daniel Muñoz found the net for Colombia. This history adds an intriguing layer to their rivalry.
Players to watch in this showdown include Brazil's spirited forward Raphinha, who has been pivotal for his club in Spain, marking his presence with eight assists so far this season. For Colombia, captain James Rodríguez, thriving with consistent performances at León in Mexico, is looked upon to lead his team through the challenging matchup.
"La selección colombiana está en un proceso de evolución con jugadores muy interesantes, algunos de los cuales juegan en el fútbol brasileño, otros repartidos por el fútbol mundial,” mentions Dorival Júnior, acknowledging the growth of the Colombian squad and their threat on the pitch.
Néstor Lorenzo countered this sentiment with his comments regarding the team’s spirit and capability: “Como siempre con la expectativa de hacer un gran partido, de ganar y que la selección esté a la altura (...)” showcasing the team’s intent to meet high expectations despite recent performances.
Historically, Brazil has dominated this competition, with 21 wins out of 37 matches against Colombia. However, the Colombian team will aim to turn the tide, having secured two notable victories in recent years, including a surprising 2-1 win during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
With such a crucial match approaching, betting odds have put Brazil as a favorite, with a predicted victory outcome of @1.79 compared to Colombia's @5.33. For fans watching from home, the match will be broadcast across various platforms: FIFA+ will screen it live across Latin America, while in Colombia, spectators can catch the action on Gol Caracol, RCN TV, Ditu, and the App RCN.
The anticipated lineups for both teams paint a picture of high stakes. Colombia is expected to field a robust lineup including Camilo Vargas in goal and strikers Luis Díaz and Rafael Santos Borré, while Brazil counters with their talented group led by Alisson in goal and featuring stars like Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo.
Looking at the match pragmatically, analysts predict a low-scoring affair, with expectations of fewer than 2.5 goals, given both teams' recent defensive missteps.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, both teams will focus on strategy and execution, vying for valuable points that could very well be decisive in their World Cup aspirations. Will Brazil leverage their home advantage, or can Colombia pull off a shock victory to stay relevant in the race for qualification?
