Carlo Ancelotti takes charge of Brazil's national soccer team
- Carlo Ancelotti has signed a contract with Brazil's soccer confederation to become the head coach starting May 26, 2025.
- Ancelotti, aged 65, will be the first foreign coach in Brazil’s national soccer history, aiming to tackle ongoing challenges in the squad.
- The appointment is seen as a significant strategic move to reclaim Brazil's dominance in international soccer.
In May 2025, Brazil’s soccer confederation publicly announced that Carlo Ancelotti, the highly regarded manager currently with Real Madrid, will take over as the head coach of the Brazilian national team starting May 26, 2025. This move is strategic, aiming to enhance Brazil's chances at the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Ancelotti, who has managed top-level clubs with spectacular success, will focus on revitalizing a squad that has struggled recently, including grappling with Neymar's injury issues and defensive weaknesses. He is set to lead the team as it works through South American World Cup qualifying matches against Ecuador and Paraguay in June 2025. The promotion of Ancelotti as a foreign manager signifies a significant shift in Brazilian soccer culture, traditionally led by national coaches, to seek international expertise. The Brazilian Football Confederation’s president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, emphasized the importance of this appointment as a bold statement towards reclaiming Brazil's historical status as a soccer powerhouse. The backdrop to this transition includes a tumultuous period for the Brazilian team, marked by disappointing exits in recent tournaments and the ongoing struggles of key players, which Ancelotti will need to navigate as he aims for World Cup success. As the team is currently ranked fifth globally and in a precarious position in World Cup qualifying, Ancelotti faces substantial challenges in improving team performance and strategy ahead of the major tournament co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.