Ancelotti’s calm hand has Brazil dreaming of sixth World Cup at last

Brazil turned up at this World Cup carrying plenty of scar tissue, yet under Carlo Ancelotti they now look like genuine contenders for a sixth global crown. Since the disappointment of Qatar 2022, the Seleção have burned through four managers, called up 95 different players and been rocked by a political crisis at home that saw the Brazilian Football Confederation president removed from office.

It was, by any measure, a chaotic few years, and supporters had grown weary and sceptical. But since Ancelotti’s arrival, the mood has shifted sharply, with Brazil once again believing they can end a 24-year wait for the World Cup — their longest trophy drought alongside the gap between 1970 and 1994.

A protective figure for a shaken squad

The Italian, the most decorated manager in Champions League history with five titles, has become something of a shield for his players. Even senior figures such as Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos and Casemiro have visibly relaxed with such a heavyweight presence on the touchline.

Alisson, playing in his third World Cup, said the cycle leading into the tournament had been extremely difficult for the players. “It’s undeniable that this World Cup cycle has been very difficult for us players,” he said. “We’ve experienced all these difficulties first-hand. But since Ancelotti’s arrival, the atmosphere has been transformed. He gives us the peace of mind that comes from an environment focused on work, without having to worry about controversies or other issues.”

Marquinhos echoed that sentiment, praising the manager’s tactical acumen and his ability to reshape the squad’s outlook. “Our team wasn’t in great form, but Ancelotti made the necessary changes,” the defender said. “He’s very smart. He knows how to get the best out of the players he has and help them improve. He managed to change our mindset and created a philosophy centred on wellbeing.”

Turning the tide against Japan

Brazil’s last-32 win over Japan illustrated exactly why Ancelotti has earned such trust. Falling behind to Keishu Sano’s opener would, in recent years, have been the kind of setback to derail the team entirely — since 2023, Brazil had conceded first on 12 occasions, losing seven, drawing four and winning only once, against Chile in World Cup qualifying in October 2024.

This time, though, Ancelotti used the half-time break to reset the mood, and Brazil came through to win, with Gabriel Martinelli netting the decisive goal. “Ancelotti is an incredible man,” Martinelli told CazeTV. “It’s easy to understand why he has won everything he has ever competed for. He gave us a lot of confidence. He said we were going to equalise and then win, that we had to believe in ourselves. You can see from his body language just how calm he is. He passes that confidence on to us.”

Tough calls on Neymar

Ancelotti has also shown a willingness to make unpopular decisions, most notably leaving Neymar out of his starting line-up. The 34-year-old, no longer at his physical peak, has featured for just 14 minutes at this World Cup, coming on against Scotland, and did not appear at all against Japan.

According to the Guardian, Neymar has accepted his reduced role, with Vinícius Júnior now firmly established as Brazil’s leading man. Ancelotti’s backroom team includes Paul Clement, Francesco Mauri and his son Davide Ancelotti, alongside Marisa Santiago, the first psychologist to work with Brazil’s coaching staff at a World Cup, whom the manager reportedly consults daily.

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