Brazil Nears Deal with Carlo Ancelotti for 2026 World Cup: Ronaldo Reveals Close Call
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Brazil was in discussions with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to take up the role of their coach.
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The Italian declined the offer and chose to stay with the La Liga heavyweights.
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According to a report, the Brazilian football federation has expressed renewed interest in Carlo Ancelotti and wishes for him to lead their team at the 2026 World Cup.
This development follows
The Selecao’s humiliating 4-1 loss to their fierce rivals Argentina.
During the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday evening, Brazil found themselves positioned in fourth spot. In this phase of CONMEBOL qualification, only the top six nations secure automatic berths into the upcoming event hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The CBF last followed up with the 65-year-old in 2023 and was ready to appoint him as the country’s first foreign head coach, marking a significant move. This came as his second stint at the Bernabeu appeared to be winding down.
According to
The Athletic
, the federation has once again communicated with the Italians amid growing pressure on current coach Dorival Junior. The report also mentions that Madrid stated they were not aware of any communication between their manager and the CBF.
Previously, Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazario stated that Brazil’s quest for
Carlo Ancelotti
in 2023 was ‘not a fantasy’ after he turned down their approach.
Ancelotti was entering the last year of his deal with Real Madrid, and Brazil were hopeful about attracting him to their team, as he had several players there whom he knew well.
Los Blancos
Stars participate in their country’s national football matches.
CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues, who secured another term earlier this week without opposition, announced to the country that Ancelotti will assume the position once his deal with Madrid ends in 2024, right before the World Cup.
Copa America
, in the USA during June.
“You can count on him being here,” stated Rodrigues about Ancelotti.
Of course, that didn’t happen, and following the appointment of Fernando Diniz to oversee the squad temporarily along with his duties as Fluminense’s head coach, Junior was selected to take charge. Ronaldo disclosed that Real Madrid nearly terminated Carlo Ancelotti’s contract, which could have led to him taking over in Brazil instead.
‘It was not a fantasy because I helped in the process by talking to Carlo, but he was not released,’ he told Charla Podcast. ‘Real Madrid did not release him.
‘Following all negotiations, everything got held up as he lacked Real Madrid’s release.’
‘Had he not clinched a title, Real Madrid would have sacked him and brought in Ancelotti instead, however, his victory in the Champions League secured him an additional year at the helm.’
Rumors about Ancelotti’s future continue to circulate despite Madrid’s outstanding performance and significant trophy collection during his second tenure. The potential return of Xabi Alonso, who previously played for Madrid and currently manages Bayer Leverkusen, adds another layer of intrigue.
A lot of people thought he would transfer to Spain during the previous summer after leading Bayer Leverkusen to their inaugural Bundesliga championship, along with winning both the German Cup and securing a spot in the Europa League final.
Earlier this year, the individual who is 65 years old tackled the rumors head-on and offered a typically philosophical view of his circumstances.
I want to make myself absolutely clear: I will never choose the date of my exit from this club throughout my lifetime,” he stated. “I am fully aware that there will be a day when I leave, but I won’t be the one deciding that particular day.
‘It might happen tomorrow or within one to five years. My benefit lies in having Florentino [Perez] remain for another four years, and my aim is to accomplish our goals during this time alongside him. We could part ways together then.’
After their convincing win earlier this week, Argentina extended their lead at the top of the South American qualifying group to eight points, whereas Brazil still has some ground to cover to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
Apart from the six teams securing automatic qualification spots, the team ending up in seventh place will compete in a playoff match. Brazil currently holds a six-point lead over seventh-place Venezuela with just four more qualifying games remaining.
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