Brazil are in need of a new head coach ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and one of the most decorated coaches in soccer could be first in line for the job.
Dorival Junior lasted just over a year as Brazil's head coach before the 62-year-old was fired back in March. Under his leadership, the Seleção crashed out of Copa América 2024 in the quarterfinals, struggled in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and most recently, suffered an embarrassing 4–1 defeat to an Argentina side without Lionel Messi.
Following the lopsided loss, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) parted ways with Dorival Junior. The CBF has yet to hire a replacement for the Brazilian, though, and the clock is ticking. Brazil returns to action in June against Ecuador and Paraguay, and they need a new person in charge to lead the team to qualification for next summer's FIFA World Cup.
Enter Carlo Ancelotti.
The Real Madrid coach is technically not in the market for a job. Ancelotti still has one year left on his contract with Los Blancos that would rule him out of taking over Brazil this summer. Yet the Italian manager could soon find himself in need of a new position should Real Madrid opt to replace him in the aftermath of a disappointing season.
What would have seemed like an impossible pairing just a few months ago now could become a reality in the upcoming weeks.
