Is Don Carlo ready to boss the international stage and win Brazil a sixth World Cup?

There’s little argument in the notion that no World Cup team is more synonymous with the competition than Brazil. 

Not only are they the only team to qualify for every single World Cup, but no nation has won the tournament more times than the South Americans’ five triumphs. 

However, it’s now over two decades since they last lifted the famous trophy, and in 2026, they remain on the fringes of the favourites, with many not convinced that they’ll add a sixth victory to their legacy this time around. 
 

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World Cup Final 1994 highlights

Relive the last final in the US as Brazil beat Italy

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Brazil in need 

True, Brazil don’t quite have the swagger and cast that could stun an airport with their football tricks, but it still boasts the Premier League’s best defender and an attack that can call on the likes of Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Jr and even Neymar, looking to prove a final point on the world stage. 

But perhaps the biggest weapon in the Selecao’s 2026 armour is the man leading the charge from the dugout, Carlo Ancelotti. 

The legendary Italian manager was drafted in last Spring following amid the chaos that had gripped the Brazilian national team. They scraped through World Cup qualifying, finishing 5th in the table and suffering their first-ever home qualification defeat. 

They went through three different managers whilst courting Ancelotti, with each of them bringing about their own issues and without much clamour for them to continue and take charge of the team at the finals. 
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Welcome Ancelotti 

So in stepped Don Carlo to become the first foreign coach in the country’s history. But what a coach to plump for. 

In Ancelotti they have won one of the domestic game’s born winners. A trophy hoarder, who’s lifted the Champions League more times than any other manager and won league titles in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League. 

Silverware is the Italian’s calling card and knockout competitions his bread and butter, which bodes well for a major summer tournament. 

It’s a record that demands respect for his players, and with a persona of a man who doesn’t take any nonsense and knows how to perfectly handle big egos, it’s a combination that looks perfectly suited for the current Brazilian set-up. 

Upon his appointment, he secured Brazil's qualification for the tournament, and although early results -  six wins, two draws and three defeats in his initial 11 matches - were patchy, he's slowly moulded the squad into his style and broad order to the chaos he inherited. 
 

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Names such as Rayan and Igor Thiago have been blooded and quickly turned into internationals, while there's been improved form from Casemiro, Luis Paqueta and others. 

His decision to call up Neymar may have raised eyebrows further up heads than the Italian’s famous brow, but Ancelotti isn’t bothered about outside noise, only winning football matches and sees the national team’s record goalscorer as someone who will add that bit of X-factor – and he knows how to handle the baggage he comes with. 

Around him is a squad that has all the tools to go deep into the competition, even if they aren’t as fancied as the likes of Spain, France and South American rivals Argentina. 

Yet, the thing that could get them over the line and win a first World Cup since 2002 is the manager. The Don, who’s conquered the domestic game and is now ready to boss the international stage, too. 
 

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