The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced that legendary Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti will take over as manager of the national team starting May 26, becoming the first foreign head coach in the storied history of the Seleção.
A New Era Begins for Brazil
Ancelotti, 65, is currently completing his second stint at Real Madrid, where he has amassed an impressive 15 trophies, including multiple Champions League and La Liga titles. His final match with Los Blancos is set for May 25, the day before he officially takes the reins in Brazil.
CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues described Ancelotti as “the greatest coach in history” and emphasized that his arrival signals a bold new chapter for Brazilian football. “Together, we will write new glorious chapters,” Rodrigues stated.
Bumpy Road Leads to Bold Decision
Brazil has struggled to find its footing in recent major tournaments. The team was eliminated by Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals and suffered a similar exit against Uruguay in the 2023 Copa América. A disappointing run in World Cup qualifiers ultimately led to the dismissal of manager Dorival Júnior in March, leaving a leadership vacuum that Ancelotti is now expected to fill.
Currently ranked fifth in the world, Brazil is looking to reclaim its reputation as the planet’s most successful and dominant footballing nation. Ancelotti’s appointment is viewed not only as a tactical decision, but as a symbolic reset for a team in search of renewed identity and results.
Challenges Ahead—and a World Cup on the Horizon
Ancelotti’s debut as Brazil manager will be against Ecuador in early June, followed by a clash with Paraguay later that month. But all eyes will be on the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as the ultimate proving ground for the veteran coach and his new squad.
In a nod to the magnitude of the transition, the CBF thanked Real Madrid for releasing Ancelotti from his contract early. The club has not yet issued a public statement, but speculation is already swirling that former Real Madrid midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso could be tapped as Ancelotti’s successor in Spain.
Historic First: A Foreign Coach at the Helm
Ancelotti’s arrival marks a significant moment in Brazilian football history—he will be the first non-Brazilian to manage the national team. Despite that, the CBF has framed the appointment as a necessary evolution, praising Ancelotti as an “icon” with a proven track record at the highest levels of the sport.
“Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world.” — Ednaldo Rodrigues, CBF President
What Comes Next
Brazil will now enter a critical preparation period under Ancelotti’s leadership, with a busy calendar of qualifiers and friendlies on the road to 2026. While expectations will be sky-high, the nation’s football fans are hopeful that one of Europe’s most accomplished tacticians can restore Brazil’s rightful place atop the football world.
