An exhausted Brazil is preparing for an unconditional victory in World Cup qualifying

SAO PAULO, Oct 9 (Reuters) – Brazil finds itself in uncharted territory, battling increasing pressure and uncertainty as it prepares for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru without the help of key players out through injury.

After losing four of their last five qualifying games due to a string of poor performances, the record five-time world champions sit fifth in the standings with ten points, ahead of Venezuela, who are sixth on goal difference. Only the top six are guaranteed a place in the 2026 finals.

Paraguay and Bolivia are a point behind and another slip-up by Brazil could see them drop out of the qualifying places and risk missing out on the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Coach Dorival Jr., appointed in January after the team spent a year under two interim coaches as the Brazilian Football Federation tried unsuccessfully to lure Italian Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid, has won just two competitive games.

After a lackluster Copa America season in which Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Uruguay, Brazil secured a narrow home victory over Ecuador last month.

But a few days later they returned to earth with another poor performance, losing 1-0 to a Paraguayan side that had scored just one goal in their last seven qualifying games.

The inconsistency that has plagued Brazil since they sacked coach Tite following a penalty shoot-out defeat by Croatia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar continues, with the team winning just four of their last 14 games.

Dorival had to make five changes to its original squad for the games against Chile in Santiago on Thursday and against Peru in Brasilia on Tuesday after goalkeeper Alisson, defenders Bremer, Eder Militao and Guilherme Arana and striker Vinicius Jr. suffered injuries.

On Wednesday, the coach made a surprise announcement that Botafogo striker Igor Jesus would start in attack in his first national team call-up against Chile, leaving Real Madrid teenager Endrick on the bench.

“What I see is that Igor's moment is very interesting. Endrick is still getting to know his new club, he is coming to the biggest club in world football with a lot of competition,” Dorival told reporters.

Jesus, 23, has been a standout talent for the Brazilian league leaders and Copa Libertadores semi-finalists since moving to Botafogo from Emirati club Shabab Al-Ahli in July, scoring seven goals in 19 games.

“I think that Igor's own experience and the moment he lives in is a little different,” Dorival added. “Perhaps it is important to have players with this profile for a game of this magnitude and at this time.”

“Sometimes we can't repeat on the pitch everything we do in training, but on Tuesday we had another training session that filled us with great anticipation. Maybe this is the moment to find the balance we want.”

Chile is in ninth place in South America's World Cup qualifying with five points, two points ahead of last-place Peru.

Brazil meets Chile: Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Abner; Andre, Lucas Paqueta; Savinho, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Igor Jesus.

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