Brazil’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti speaks during a press conference at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 30, 2026. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP)

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that a tactical decision he made during the second-half hydration break in his side’s Round of 16 defeat to Norway proved decisive in the Selecao’s shock exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil were level at 0-0 when play was paused for the mandatory cooling break, but the five-time champions went on to concede twice to Erling Haaland before crashing out 2-1 — their earliest World Cup elimination since 1990.

Reflecting on the defeat in an interview with ESPN, Ancelotti took responsibility for the tactical changes he made during the break.