Carlo Ancelotti is widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time, and on Saturday (Sunday, June 14 IST), he entered his name in the history books by becoming the first non-Brazilian manager to coach Brazil at a FIFA World Cup.
Follow Brazil vs Morocco FIFA World Cup 2026 match
The 67-year-old former Italian footballer, who has managed clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Everton, Parma, and Reggiana since beginning his managerial career in 1995, is leading Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ancelotti was appointed as Brazil’s head coach on May 12, 2025, signing a one-year contract worth €10 million with the South American giants. On May 14, 2026, he extended his
deal by four more years and is now set to remain in charge until 2030.
Brazil is Ancelotti’s first full-time national team coaching assignment. Previously, he served as Italy’s assistant coach during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where the Azzurri finished runners-up.
In the history of the men’s FIFA World Cup, no foreign coach has ever lifted the trophy. Ancelotti, who remains the only manager to have won league titles in all five major European leagues—the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1—will be hoping to break that trend in 2026 and become the first overseas manager to win the FIFA World Cup.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil are facing Morocco in their opening Group C match. They will then take on Haiti before concluding their group-stage campaign against Scotland.
Brazil, the only team to have participated in all 23 editions of the FIFA World Cup, will be aiming to win all three Group C matches and secure a place in the Round of 32.
No Neymar vs Morocco
Neymar Jr. is not playing for Brazil in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener against Morocco. The 34-year-old forward, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, is not included in either the starting XI or the substitutes’ bench for the high-profile clash at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
Neymar, who last represented Brazil in 2023, is absent from the matchday squad due to fitness concerns. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who has scored eight FIFA World Cup goals for Brazil, suffered a right calf injury while playing for Santos in May 2026 and has yet to regain full fitness.
