Brazil’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended abruptly in the Round of 16, sparking an immediate and fierce inquest into the team’s performance and the decisions of coach Carlo Ancelotti. The five-time Champions League-winning manager, who holds a contract with the “Canarinha” until 2030, has found himself at the epicentre of widespread condemnation from Brazilian media and football legends alike.
The South American giants crashed out after a 2-1 defeat to Norway, a match where Erling Haaland netted two goals for the Europeans. Neymar, the 34-year-old, injury-prone forward, scored a consolation penalty for Brazil, marking his final act in international football as he announced his retirement following the elimination. The aftermath saw questions immediately surface about who was to blame for Brazil’s failure on the global stage, with Ancelotti bearing the brunt of the criticism.
Ancelotti’s tactical decisions under scrutiny
Brazilian media outlets were quick to dissect Ancelotti’s tactical choices. A columnist for UOL, as reported by Mail Sport, lambasted the coach’s late substitutions in the Norway game. “In the final substitution, by bringing on Endrick and Neymar for the wingers, pandering to popular demand, he ruined the team. It wasn’t Neymar who died embracing Ancelotti, but Ancelotti who died embracing Neymar,” the columnist wrote. Another reporter for UOL echoed this sentiment, stating, “Carlo Ancelotti made the changes that ultimately ruined Brazil, especially with the introduction of Neymar.”
Beyond the match itself, several player performances and selections drew ire. Vinicius Junior reportedly shied away from a vital penalty against Norway, while defender Gabriel Magalhaes was visibly manhandled by Haaland throughout the contest.
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Legends weigh in on squad selection and strategy
The criticism extended beyond the press, with football icon Ronaldo Nazario delivering a scathing assessment of Ancelotti’s squad choices and in-game management. “I have to be honest, I think this elimination begins with the decisions from the bench. Carlo Ancelotti is one of the best coaches in the history of football, but tonight he made too many mistakes,” Ronaldo told Marca. He specifically questioned the exclusion of Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, who was not included in the squad despite an “exceptional season.”
Ronaldo also highlighted the underutilization of young talent Endrick. “Then you look at Endrick. Every time he came on in this tournament, he brought energy, aggression and unpredictability. However, he spent most of the World Cup sitting on the bench. I don’t understand that,” he added. Legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic also weighed in, telling Marca, “The changes Carlo Ancelotti made today did not work, whereas Solbakken’s did. It looked like Norway were playing ‘jogo bonito’, while Brazil were playing… I don’t know. They were simply dancing to the rhythm of the wind.” Former Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo added his voice to the chorus via Instagram, asserting, “Ancelotti got it wrong. He made mistakes in the lineup, in the decisions, and in his reading of the match; and that is how we lost the chance to win the sixth star.”
With Brazil reportedly “dreaming of Guardiola” as a potential future coach, the pressure on Ancelotti, despite his long-term contract, is immense as the nation grapples with another disappointing World Cup exit.
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