Carlo Ancelotti became Brazil's first foreign coach at a World Cup in May 2025, aiming to end their six-trophy drought.
When he agreed in May 2025 to lead Brazil as their first foreign coach at a World Cup, he knew he had to act fast to earn the trust of a nation proud of its football history and long-standing self-sufficiency.
At an early meeting in Rio de Janeiro, he noticed local staff at the Brazilian Football Confederation trying to address him in Spanish or Italian, and he responded with a smile, saying, 'No, no. I'm the one who has to make the effort to speak Portuguese here.'
The 66-year-old understood that winning over fans who see themselves as football pioneers required immediate cultural immersion.
Ancelotti’s dedication to learning Portuguese became a symbol of his seriousness. He hired a Portuguese teacher and committed to four lessons per week, surprising even his instructor, Roberto Piantino.
'I was surprised by his commitment,' Piantino recalled. One Friday, after finishing a lesson, he asked Ancelotti when they would meet next, and the coach replied, 'Tomorrow.' When Piantino clarified it was Saturday, Ancelotti said, 'Of course, no problem,' and scheduled the session for 9am in Vancouver, where he lives with his wife.
This happened repeatedly, showing his relentless focus on fitting into Brazil’s culture.
Despite this strong display, Ancelotti faces an immense challenge: preventing Brazil from setting an unwanted record.
Though Carlo Ancelotti had managed 43 Brazilian players previously, he had visited Brazil only once before—in the early 2000s while working for Juventus on a scouting mission.
When he agreed in May 2025 to lead Brazil as their first foreign coach at a World Cup, he knew he had to act fast to earn the trust of a nation proud of its football history and long-standing self-sufficiency.
At an early meeting in Rio de Janeiro, he noticed local staff at the Brazilian Football Confederation trying to address him in Spanish or Italian, and he responded with a smile, saying, 'No, no. I'm the one who has to make the effort to speak Portuguese here.'
The 66-year-old understood that winning over fans who see themselves as football pioneers required immediate cultural immersion.
Ancelotti’s dedication to learning Portuguese became a symbol of his seriousness. He hired a Portuguese teacher and committed to four lessons per week, surprising even his instructor, Roberto Piantino.
'I was surprised by his commitment,' Piantino recalled. One Friday, after finishing a lesson, he asked Ancelotti when they would meet next, and the coach replied, 'Tomorrow.' When Piantino clarified it was Saturday, Ancelotti said, 'Of course, no problem,' and scheduled the session for 9am in Vancouver, where he lives with his wife.
This happened repeatedly, showing his relentless focus on fitting into Brazil’s culture.
Brazil’s 6-2 win over Panama in their penultimate World Cup warm-up match was a promising sign, with goals from Rayan of Bournemouth, Igor Thiago of Brentford, Vinicius Jr, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, and Danilo.
Despite this strong display, Ancelotti faces an immense challenge: preventing Brazil from setting an unwanted record. The five-time champions last lifted the trophy in 2002 and have never gone six editions without winning.
Yet many believe the experienced Italian coach is the right leader for the task.
Brazil’s decision to appoint Ancelotti as their first foreign coach at a World Cup challenged a deep-seated tradition in their football history.
Even with his impressive resume, including five Champions League titles and trophies in all five of Europe’s major leagues, initial resistance remained.
Two-time World Cup winner Cafu expressed his reservations, saying, 'We are the only country to have won the World Cup five times. It's not that a foreigner should never coach the national team, but I would have gone for a Brazilian coach.'
The tension peaked at a November event for Brazilian coaches, where speeches criticized the presence of foreign managers. Ancelotti’s son and assistant coach, David, left the event early due to the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Despite mixed results in his first 11 matches—six wins, two draws, and three losses—a survey by Quaest, a leading polling institute, found most Brazilians supported Ancelotti.
The poll showed 41% approval compared to 29% disapproval.
Encouraged by this backing, the Brazilian Football Confederation moved quickly to extend his contract until 2030, even before he had led the team at the World Cup.
Ancelotti’s ability to unite people behind him became evident when he delayed signing his contract for a month to ensure three CBF staff members, who helped him adapt, also received contract extensions until 2030.
Leonardo, a 1994 World Cup winner who worked with Ancelotti at AC Milan and Paris St-Germain, described him as 'a chameleon' who adapts seamlessly to any environment.
'Wherever he goes, he adapts to the people, the team, the players,' Leonardo said.
'He is a world champion at that. If I ever bought a team, my coach would be Carlo. There is no other choice. He enters into symbiosis with the environment, and that has already happened here [in Brazil]. People like him.'
This adaptability extends to his communication style, even in language learning, where he rejected formal teaching methods.
Ancelotti believes Brazil possesses two of the top five players in the world—Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid and Raphinha of Barcelona—and aims to harness their potential in the Selecao.