Though there isn’t much time left before the 2026 World Cup, the Italian coach remains highly optimistic about achieving the ultimate goal.
Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Brazil at a very challenging time. Yet, seeing the team’s immense talent and strong squad fills him with hope. Despite facing a tough opponent like Ecuador at the start of this new challenge, Ancelotti believes the match will be a valuable test to assess the team’s condition.
Ancelotti has won nearly every possible club trophy multiple times, including the prestigious UEFA Champions League with two different teams. Now, for the first time in his career, he’s taken the helm of a national team—and that too Brazil, a team with a rich history and enormous expectations.
Under his leadership, there is hope to erase recent years of disappointments and failures that have plagued the Seleção. Ancelotti has already shown his vision and promised to pursue the “hexa” — Brazil’s sixth World Cup title. But given the team’s fragile state since the 2022 World Cup, achieving that dream will be extremely difficult.
Still, Ancelotti’s confidence grows as he watches the team’s talented stars in training. Players like Estevão, Andrei, Andreas, and Matheus Quier are impressing him, alongside the experienced Vinícius Júnior.
He said, “I believe this role is a fantastic opportunity in my career. Coaching a national team for the first time—and that too Brazil—is no ordinary job. It’s historic.”
“I’m excited to give my best here and work toward the ultimate goal. Seeing the players and their drive to wear this yellow jersey gives me a lot of confidence.”
Brazil, five-time world champions, last won the World Cup in 2002. The team was eliminated in the quarter-finals in the last two tournaments and exited early in last year’s Copa America knockout stage.
Their current standing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers is also shaky. Once slipping as low as sixth place, Brazil now sits fourth with 21 points from 14 matches. Their next match is against Ecuador on Friday at 5 AM (Bangladesh time). Ecuador is second on the table with 23 points from the same number of games.
At a pre-match press conference, Ancelotti said the Ecuador match will be a great test to assess Brazil’s form.
“Ecuador is playing well and is a well-organized team. Facing them will be an excellent challenge for us. We need to demonstrate the quality we have, both individually and as a team.”
