Carlo Ancelotti is about to do something no foreign coach has done for Brazil in over a century: lead the Seleção into a World Cup. As Brazil prepares to face Morocco, a panel of analysts including former Portuguese international Nuno Gomes has weighed in on whether Ancelotti’s decorated résumé translates to international tournament success.
Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, has not lifted the trophy since 2002. That’s a 24-year drought for a nation that treats football the way some countries treat religion.
The Ancelotti experiment
Ancelotti was appointed Brazil’s head coach in May 2025, making him the first full-time foreign manager to lead the national team in over 100 years. The CBF extended his contract through 2030 after Brazil successfully qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Approval ratings for Ancelotti sat at 41% approval versus 29% disapproval heading into mid-2026.
