Brazil's biggest hope to end a 24-year World Cup title drought is not a clinical striker, a creative midfielder or a dribbling winger like in previous editions, but rather Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti. According to multiple reports as of May 2026, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has been in talks with Ancelotti, who is currently under contract with Real Madrid until 2026.
Ancelotti, 66, has won the UEFA Champions League four times and domestic titles in Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain. He has never coached a national team. Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002, and their recent failures include quarterfinal exits in 2018 and 2022.
The CBF has not made an official announcement, but sources indicate that Ancelotti is the top candidate to replace Tite, who left after the 2022 World Cup. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
