Carlo Ancelotti, the newly appointed head coach of Brazil’s national football team, says he’s chasing more than just another title,he’s chasing history. As Brazil gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Italian manager believes there’s a chance for something unprecedented: Brazil winning the World Cup under a foreign-born coach.
Since he took over in May 2025, Ancelotti has already made waves. He became Brazil’s first overseas coach in six decades and immediately faced the challenge of restoring confidence and a winning mindset within a squad that has often felt pressure from expectations.
Despite Brazil’s legendary status five World Cup titles, famed stars, and global prestige—no foreign coach has ever lifted the trophy for the Seleção. Ancelotti isn’t shy about declaring that he believes there should be a first time.
Ancelotti comes to the job with an enviable record. He has won multiple Champions League titles, domestic leagues in several countries, and has managed some of the world’s top clubs.
In his first matches, Ancelotti has experimented with team formation, tested new lineups, and pressed for discipline, while keeping faith with Brazil’s traditional strengths—individual flair, attacking talent, and creativity. One match that caught attention was a 5-0 win over South Korea in Seoul, where young players like Estevão (age 18) scored, while veterans like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo also stood out.
Challenges on the Road to 2026
Even as optimism builds, there are significant hurdles:
- Pressure of expectations: Brazil is famed for its “jogo bonito” (beautiful game) and being among the favorites in every major tournament. That heightens pressure to perform.
- Injury concerns & key absences: Neymar, Brazil’s star forward, is sidelined with a thigh injury, casting uncertainty over his return before the tournament.
- Consistency in qualifying and friendlies: Though Brazil qualified for the 2026 World Cup, they did so by finishing fifth in the South American table suggesting they were not completely dominant. And performances have been mixed in friendlies.
- Team balance: Integrating young stars like Estevão, managing experienced players, handling tactical transitions these are all part of the balancing act Ancelotti must master.
What Ancelotti Says
“My goal is to give my best for the Brazil national team, to try to get them to perform at their best and to win the World Cup,” he said. “Of course, no foreign-born coach has ever won the World Cup but there is always a first time in life.”
He also stressed that while Brazil is known for its individual quality, success will depend on movement off the ball, collective work, team spirit, and mental toughness not just flair.
Many in Brazil are hopeful. Football legend Zico has backed Ancelotti, pointing to his long history of working with Brazilian players and his understanding of the football culture as major advantages.
At the same time, many fans and pundits are aware of how tough the road is: other top teams are also upgrading, tactical innovation is increasing globally, and anomalies can happen. But for many, the possibility of witnessing something historic under Ancelotti has reignited excitement.
Brazil is set to face Japan in Tokyo in a friendly match, following the convincing win over South Korea. These matches are seen as key tests for Ancelotti to build cohesion, experiment with different lineups, and settle on a core team ahead of the World Cup.
Expectations will remain high, and margins will be slim, but the narrative is clear: Ancelotti doesn’t just want to win he wants to rewrite a part of Brazil’s rich football history. If he does, he’ll become the first foreign coach to lift the World Cup with a nation that has won it five times before.
Bottom line: Ancelotti’s ambition is almost poetic: to lead Brazil to a sixth World Cup trophy and in doing so make history not just for himself, but for global football. Whether he accomplishes this will depend on more than talent. It will require unity, strategic clarity, mental fortitude, and occasionally, a little bit of luck.
