No change for Brazil: Carlo Ancelotti stays on

Brazil's football confederation (CBF) has made a decision that was unsurprising yet deeply controversial in the wake of a historic World Cup disappointment. According to Fabrizio Romano, the CBF has opted to continue with Carlo Ancelotti through the 2030 World Cup following the team's 2-1 round-of-16 defeat to Norway. The head coach retains his post having signed a contract extension back in May.

CBF national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano explained the reasoning with a call for calm, saying the federation intends to keep working with the coach through the 2030 cycle while making the necessary adjustments at a measured pace. Ancelotti himself posted on social media that his trust in the project they are building remains unchanged, signalling his continued commitment to the team.

Brazil's showing against Norway marked their worst World Cup performance since the 1966 group-stage exit. Bruno Guimaraes' missed first-half penalty, the decision to keep thirty-something veterans like Casemiro and Danilo on the pitch, and the underwhelming return of Neymar from a long injury lay-off — who retired from international football at the tournament's end — all drew heavy criticism. Comments from Brazilian great Romario, who called the exit "deserved," further fuelled the debate in the national press.

Ancelotti has acknowledged the need to bring young, top-level talent into the squad, particularly in midfield, with 19-year-old Real Madrid forward Endrick expected to play a key role in the rebuild. Despite the CBF's calls for patience, the Italian's biggest test now lies in restoring Brazil to the top of world football ahead of the 2028 Copa America and the 2030 World Cup.

Source: Fabrizio Romano

Image: BBC