SAO PAULO โ The appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the new coach of Brazilโs national football team brings a slew of challenges, with only around a dozen matches available for adjustments before the 2026 World Cup if he aims to secure a competitive bid for the title. Among Ancelottiโs initial tasks are strengthening the defense, enhancing the midfield, and devising a plan that doesnโt overly depend on Neymar, who has recently struggled with injuries.
The Brazilian Football Confederation announced that the 65-year-old Italian coach will depart from Real Madrid a year before his contractโs end to lead the Brazilian team starting May 26, following the conclusion of the Spanish league. Details of the contract have not been disclosed.
โAncelottiโs influence extends beyond mere outcomes; he is a strategist capable of transforming teams into legends. Brazil, with its rich history, and Ancelotti, known for his innovative vision, will forge a partnership destined for historical acclaim,โ stated CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues. โHe is the greatest coach in history, and now he will manage the planetโs foremost national team.โ
However, Rodriguesโ assurance does not fully ease the concerns of those familiar with Brazilโs performance over the past two years.
Ancelottiโs foremost obstacle will be restoring confidence in a team currently ranked fourth in South American World Cup qualifiers after a decisive 4-1 defeat by its archrival Argentina. Following successive disappointing performances, coach Dorival Jรบnior was dismissed, as were his predecessors Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz.
Reportedly, Ancelottiโs tenure has unofficially started through discussions with two pivotal players from Brazilโs previous World Cup campaigns: Neymar, currently recuperating from an ACL tear, and Manchester Unitedโs midfielder Casemiro. Yet Brazil lacks a clear successor for either player. If Ancelotti intends to reintegrate the 33-year-old veterans, he must develop strategies accommodating both their presence and absence on the field.
Brazilโs creative midfield is currently a pressing issue, much to the frustration of its top strikers. Lucas Paquetรก, expected to claim a starting berth, is hindered by an ongoing investigation into allegations of deliberately receiving cards during Premier League events to sway betting markets, which he denies. Alternatives for that role, including Madridโs Rodrygo, Fulhamโs Andreas Pereira, and Flamengoโs Gerson, have yet to deliver the performance levels expected.
The absence of a high-caliber creative midfield significantly limits the goal-scoring opportunities for forwards such as Vinicius Jรบnior, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, and Endrick. Ancelotti also faces challenges in defensive midfield, which necessitates reaching out to experienced players like Casemiro, whom he has previously celebrated success with at Real Madrid. Recent attempts to revamp this area included tapping into the talents of Newcastleโs Bruno Guimarรฃes and Joelinton, but no concrete solution has emerged.
Under coach Tite from 2016 to 2022, Brazilโs defense was robust; however, since the World Cup in Qatar, Brazil has conceded 31 goals in 25 matches, surpassing the 81-match tally under Tite by one. Ancelotti is expected to deliver by remedying Brazilโs defensive vulnerabilities, following the rectifying trends heโs established at other clubs.
Brazilโs defense has suffered notably at right and left backs, with no player since 2022 has shown the dual-faceted ability to both launch offensive actions and effectively counter opponents as historically expected. One potential solution might mirror the formation utilized by Luiz Felipe Scolari during the 2002 World Cup, employing three defenders complemented by two midfield-wings, although identifying three fit top-tier defenders remains a challenge. The existing pairing of Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhรฃes has failed to inspire enough confidence, and even Eder Militรฃo, a favored player of Ancelottiโs, continues his recovery from injury.
Ancelotti will also face significant decisions regarding the goalkeeper position. Alisson was Brazilโs choice in the two preceding World Cups, with Brazil exiting in the quarter-finals on both occasions. Alissonโs injury led to Ederson getting the nod, only for him to then sustain an injury, with Alisson consequently regaining his position until both playersโ injuries led to Bento playing against Argentina.
Alongside the tactical and squad issues, Ancelotti will have to navigate the broader realm of Brazilian football politics, notably the legal troubles involving CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues, which could pose distractions. The team faces the faint yet historic risk of failing to qualify for the World Cup, should they fall short of the top six in South America.
Renowned TV commentator Galvao Bueno suggested that Ancelotti will benefit from enlisting local expertise to address these multifaceted challenges. โWhile Ancelotti brings his team, he also has allies in Brazil, such as Cafu, Kakรก, and particularly Paulo Roberto Falcรฃo,โ stated Bueno, indicating these former internationals might play a crucial role in aiding Ancelottiโs conquest of Brazilโs managerial landscape.
Historically, Brazil has only once claimed the World Cup trophy as pre-tournament favoritesโback in 1962 when they defended their title. Ancleotti might need to draw upon history for inspiration and possibly leverage his connections in Brazil before conditioning Brazil for competitive global campaigns begins in earnest.