Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary Italian manager, will officially become the head coach of Brazil’s national team on May 26, 2025, as the team aims to win their first World Cup since 2002. Brazil sacked former coach Dorival Junior in March following a disappointing 4-1 loss to Argentina in World Cup qualifying. Now, the five-time world champions are turning to Ancelotti to lead them to glory in the 2026 World Cup.
Here are three key reasons why Ancelotti could be the right man for the job.
Carlo Ancelotti Calm Leadership in High Pressure
Ancelotti is famous for his calm and composed personality, making him a great fit for the high-pressure job of coaching Brazil. His book, “Quiet Leadership”, reflects this very quality.
He has already proven himself at top clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, handling massive expectations with grace. With Argentina currently the reigning world champions, Brazil will be under even more pressure in 2026. But if there’s one manager who can handle intense scrutiny and still stay cool, it’s Ancelotti.
Brazilian legend Zico even backed the move, saying:
“Ancelotti would be ideal because everyone, including opponents, respects him. He knows football and understands that players matter more than tactics.”
Ancelotti’s strong man-management skills are expected to help him bring the best out of Brazil’s talented squad.
Strong Ties With Key Brazilian Stars
With Neymar possibly missing the 2026 World Cup due to age and injury issues, Vinicius Junior is expected to become Brazil’s main man. The good news? Ancelotti already shares a great relationship with the Real Madrid winger, having helped transform him into one of La Liga brightest stars.
Rodrygo Goes and Eder Militao, both part of Madrid’s Champions League-winning squads under Ancelotti, will likely play key roles in Brazil’s setup as well. And don’t forget Endrick, the 18-year-old forward who has already scored three goals for Brazil and made 35 appearances for Madrid this season, scoring seven times.
These existing bonds could give Brazil a head start in building a strong, united team ahead of the World Cup.
A Personal Mission to Complete His Legacy
Ancelotti has done it all at club level. He is the only coach in history to win all five of Europe’s top leagues (Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain). He also holds the record for most Champions League titles as a coach — five in total — including wins with AC Milan and Real Madrid.
Now, at 65, he’s taking on a new kind of challenge: international football.
After a short spell at Everton in 2019, many thought Ancelotti was past his prime. But his return to Real Madrid in 2021 proved otherwise. With this final step, he’s chasing the one major title missing from his legendary career: the FIFA World Cup.
