ANCELOTTI EYES HISTORY AS BRAZIL’S FIRST FOREIGN COACH AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Carlo Ancelotti says he is ready to make history as the first foreign-born coach to win the World Cup, as he leads Brazil national football team into next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Italian tactician, who took charge in May, became Brazil’s first overseas coach in six decades and has already guided the five-time world champions to qualification.

“My goal is to give my best for the Brazil national team, to try to get them to perform at their best and to win the World Cup,” Ancelotti said on Monday. “Of course, no foreign-born coach has ever won the World Cup, but there is always a first time in life.”

Brazil will face Japan national football team in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday, fresh from a commanding 5–0 win over South Korea national football team in Seoul.

Ancelotti has overseen a period of transition since taking over as the team’s fourth coach following Tite’s departure after the quarter-final loss to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The match against South Korea saw 18-year-old starlet Estevao Willian net twice, while Rodrygo Goes and Vinícius Júnior also got on the scoresheet. Fans hailed the display as a return to “jogo bonito,” but Ancelotti stressed the importance of balance.

“Brazilian players have the quality to play beautiful football, but you have to think about what you mean by beautiful football,” he explained. “Individual quality must be combined with teamwork and movement off the ball. That’s very important.”

Brazil are currently without star forward Neymar, who is sidelined with a thigh injury until at least November. Time is running out for the country’s record goalscorer to prove his fitness before the tournament.

“If Neymar is in good condition, then of course he can fit into the national team,” Ancelotti said. “If Neymar is fit, then he can play in any team in the world.”

Brazil finished fifth in the South American qualifying table but remain one of the favorites to lift a record-extending sixth World Cup trophy.