Brazil announces Ancelotti deal

Coach Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid and take over Brazil through the 2026 World Cup.

The Italian — Brazil's first fulltime foreign coach in a century — will officially take charge on May 25 after La Liga ends, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Monday. Details of the deal were not released.

"Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to coach Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to recover the top of the podium," CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said.

"He is the greatest coach in history and, now, he will be with the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters of Brazilian soccer."

There was no immediate comment on the move from Ancelotti or Real Madrid.

The CBF added that "Ancelotti starts his mission this week", meeting with coordinator-general Rodrigo Caetano and former defender Juan, the confederation technical coordinator, so he can pick his squad for the next World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June.

Ancelotti is expected to announce the squad himself in Rio de Janeiro on May 26, the CBF said.

Desperate for Carlo

Brazil — a five-time world champion — was under pressure to sign a new coach who could revitalize the team, which is in fourth place in South American qualifying for the World Cup. Neymar is struggling to return to top form after an ACL injury in 2023. The top six teams secure direct spots to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Ancelotti, 65, will replace Dorival Junior, who was the coach for 14 months before being fired in March after a 4-1 defeat to continental archrival Argentina.

Brazil's TV Globo reported Ancelotti has already called Neymar and midfielder Casemiro to discuss the team's future.

A CBF source told reporters that Ancelotti will live in Rio and travel to Europe whenever he sees fit. The source spoke on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.

"He already knows the players in Europe, he wants to know more about those in Brazil making it to the national team," the source said.

The source added there's no clause in Ancelotti's contract assuring the deal will be extended to the 2030 World Cup, though "that is a possibility".

Ancelotti's contract with Madrid ends next year, but Rodrigues said it's expected to be terminated early. In a video, the CBF president thanked Real Madrid president Florentino Perez "for the comprehension, dialogue and support that made this transaction possible."