Carlo Ancelotti pledges to make struggling Brazil ‘champions again’

RIO DE JANEIRO – Carlo Ancelotti vowed to lead Brazil to a sixth title on his first day as Selecao coach on May 26, while omitting injury-plagued Neymar from his line-up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The former Real Madrid boss is the first non-Brazilian in six decades to coach the record five-time World Cup winners.

“I’m honoured and proud to lead the best team in the world. I have a big job ahead of me and have great hope that Brazil will become champions again,” he said during his official presentation in Rio de Janeiro.

“I’m delighted, the challenge is great. I’ve always had a special connection with this team. The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup.”

Ancelotti, who was welcomed by former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, took over from Dorival Junior, who was sacked at the end of March following a 4-1 defeat by Argentina, a humiliating loss that was the latest in a series of poor results.

At 65, the Italian star manager, who has five Champions League titles to his name, is taking the reins of a national team for the first time.

He announced the return of Manchester United midfielder and former Brazil captain Casemiro for June’s qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, alongside Real star Vinicius Jr and Barcelona winger Raphinha.

Ancelotti is Brazil’s fourth coach in two years, and he faces a formidable task. The team have struggled for form in 2026 World Cup qualifying and are languishing in fourth place in the South American qualifying table for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The top six from the continent will qualify automatically for the expanded 48-team Finals.

The Italian will cut his teeth on June 5 against Ecuador in Guayaquil and then host Paraguay on June 10 in Sao Paulo.

“These two matches are very important. I have tried to bring in players who are ready and prepared to help the team win,” Ancelotti said, confident that he could meet the public’s expectations.

“People want me to do a good job and win the World Cup again. Because of what I have done in the past, they expect me to win the trophy. But I hope they will support the team because that is very important to have the support of the country.”

While leaving out 33-year-old Neymar, who has been absent from the squad for nearly two years due to injury, Ancelotti said that “obviously we’re counting on him” for the future.

A returning Casemiro, 33, will bring “charisma, personality and talent”, the new coach added.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) spent two years wooing Ancelotti to try and turn the fortunes after years of disappointment for the national side and their fans.

The Selecao have made it as far as the semi-finals only once out of the last five World Cups – in 2014 against Germany, who gave the hosts a historic 7-1 thrashing on home soil.

Ancelotti’s arrival also coincides with a period of turbulence for the CBF itself.

On May 25, it elected a new president, Samir Xaud, after the previous boss, Ednaldo Rodrigues, was dismissed by a court over suspicions of forgery in his employment contract.

“May Christ the Redeemer (Rio’s landmark monument) bless the arrival of our Mr Carlo Ancelotti, so that he can secure a highly coveted sixth world title,” Xaud said by way of welcome to Ancelotti, to whom he vowed “total autonomy”.

Ancelotti’s new role comes with a pay package of around €10 million (S$14.6 million) a year, according to local media. His son Davide will be among his assistants. AFP, REUTERS