Brazil opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco on June 13, and Carlo Ancelotti accepted full responsibility for the tactical shortcomings that left the five-time champions splitting points in their Group C opener.
Ancelotti promised improvement and reminded everyone that you don’t win a World Cup in your first match.
A historic appointment meets an underwhelming debut
Ancelotti is Brazil’s first foreign head coach in modern times. The squad he’s working with is valued at approximately €928 million, a staggering number that makes the draw with Morocco feel even more uncomfortable. Making matters worse, Ancelotti was without key players Neymar and Wesley for this particular match.
Brazil’s path to this tournament wasn’t exactly smooth either. The qualification round was described as tough, which is diplomatic language for “nearly catastrophic” by Brazilian standards.
