Carlo Ancelotti left Real Madrid last year and took on his first challenge in international management with Brazil. He faces a monumental task: saving football's most decorated nation from its longest drought without a World Cup title.
Brazil hasn't won the World Cup since 2002, when Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Ronaldo secured the nation's fifth title. This 24-year gap is a record for the Seleção. The parallels with 1994 are striking: then and now, the tournament takes place in the United States, and Brazil arrives after a disastrous qualifying campaign. This time, the country finished fifth in South America with six defeats—more than any other nation that qualified for the World Cup. Many experts have already written off their chances.
Ancelotti's controversial decisions include omitting Chelsea's João Pedro from the squad and recalling 34-year-old Neymar for the first time since 2023. Yet the Italian manager has the tools to become the third coach ever to win both the World Cup and Champions League, after Marcello Lippi and Vicente del Bosque.
Brazil's opening match against Morocco takes place on Saturday. Morocco made history in 2022 by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-final. This will be a serious test of Ancelotti's tactical philosophy and his ability to inspire stars under immense pressure.
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