Brazil has decided to part ways with coach Dorival Junior after their heavy defeat to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Selecao suffered a 4-1 loss to their rivals in Buenos Aires, leading to speculation about Dorival’s future with the team. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) officially announced his departure on Friday, expressing gratitude for his service and wishing him success in his future endeavors. The CBF stated that they will now focus on finding a replacement for the vacant coaching position.
The defeat to Argentina was a low point in Brazil’s recent poor form, as they have only managed to win one out of their last five matches. Despite this, Brazil remains in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, currently sitting fourth in the CONMEBOL standings. They are expected to progress to the finals as one of the six automatic qualifiers from South America.
Reports suggest that Jorge Jesus is the frontrunner to take over as Brazil’s head coach. The Portuguese manager has enjoyed success in Brazilian football previously, winning multiple trophies during his time with Flamengo. Jesus is currently managing Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he recently guided the team to the league title.
While Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti has also been linked to the Brazil job, he has dismissed these rumors in a recent press conference, affirming his commitment to his current contract with the Spanish club. Despite the speculation surrounding potential candidates, the focus now shifts to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for Brazil against Ecuador and Paraguay in June.