Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti seems to be on earlier than a pleasant soccer match between South Korea and Brazil at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on October 10, 2025. — AFP
PARIS: Brazil’s quest to regain World Cup supremacy from their European rivals has led to them handing the reins to a European, with Italian Carlo Ancelotti charged with the duty of ending the nation’s wait to win their sixth title.
It’s 24 years for the reason that Selecao final received the World Cup, precisely the identical size of time they had been compelled to attend between Pele lifting the previous Jules Rimet trophy in 1970 and the workforce’s triumph in 1994.
Ancelotti, 66, has unfinished enterprise on the World Cup, and Brazil are ripe for a revival.
“I’m not obsessed with winning the World Cup, but I have the pleasure and passion to enjoy the moment I’m living in, leading the most important national team in the world,” the previous Actual Madrid coach lately instructed the Guardian.
Ancelotti, along with his measured manner on the touchline and his tactical pragmatism, is arguably essentially the most profitable coach of his era.
He has received the Champions League 5 instances, two with AC Milan and three with Madrid, and picked up league titles in Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain.
A 12 months in the past, upon leaving Actual, Ancelotti grew to become Brazil’s third everlasting coach for the reason that final World Cup.
In 5 World Cups since profitable in 2002, Brazil have misplaced 4 instances within the quarter-finals and reached the semis as soon as — after they suffered a traumatising 7-1 defeat by the hands of Germany as hosts in 2014.
The exit on penalties to Croatia in Qatar in 2022 introduced an finish to Tite’s reign.
Fernando Diniz took over for the beginning of 2026 World Cup qualifying, however lasted simply six video games.
In got here Dorival Junior, however the veteran oversaw a quarter-final exit on the 2024 Copa America. He was dismissed in March final 12 months after a 4-1 thrashing in a World Cup qualifier in Argentina.
Ancelotti noticed Brazil over the road, however they completed fifth within the 10-team South American qualifying group, 10 factors behind first-placed Argentina.
There have since been three wins, a draw and two defeats — in opposition to Japan and France — in friendlies with the brand new coach testing completely different formations.
He has not completely cleared the decks. Removed from it. Eight of those that began in opposition to Croatia in 2022 are in his squad.
Centre-back Eder Militao is injured together with forwards Rodrygo and Estevao. Chelsea’s Joao Pedro was not noted.
Ten of Ancelotti’s 26-man roster are of their thirties, with the common age nearly 29.
Neymar gamble
His choice to incorporate Neymar brought on a sensation, with the 34-year-old ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain ahead set for his fourth World Cup — regardless of not having performed for his nation since 2023 due to accidents.
Folks rejoice after the announcement of Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. throughout an occasion to announce Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the Museum of Tomorrow, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Might 18, 2026. — AFP
Now at Santos, Neymar will certainly solely have a bit-part function, with Vinicius Junior as an alternative main the assault.
Matheus Cunha and Raphinha might have huge roles too, whereas Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes symbolize a strong midfield. Centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal and Marquinhos of PSG will come straight from the Champions League remaining.
Ancelotti is aware of there are nice expectations with Brazilians hungry for an additional title after 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
As a participant, Ancelotti missed Italy’s victorious 1982 World Cup marketing campaign by way of damage and was an unused squad member in 1986.
He performed in 1990, when Italy hosted and agonisingly misplaced within the semi-finals on penalties to Argentina.
Then got here 1994 and the shootout loss to Brazil within the remaining on the Pasadena Rose Bowl, with a 35-year-old Ancelotti serving as Arrigo Sacchi’s assistant.
“In other countries, the national team isn’t as important as it is in Brazil…Europeans don’t have the same love for the national team shirt,” Ancelotti instructed the Guardian.
Brazil are in a bunch with Haiti, Scotland and Morocco, and start in opposition to the latter in New Jersey on June 13.
Ought to they prime their group, Brazil’s onward path seems to be probably very variety, though they haven’t overwhelmed a European workforce in a World Cup knockout tie since 2002.
However the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) has already seen sufficient to offer Ancelotti a brand new contract till the 2030 World Cup.
“We have the most successful coach in the world. We need to make the most of him being here, so that we are left with a positive legacy for Brazilian football,” mentioned CBF president Samir Xaud.
