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If Anyone Can Win 2026 World Cup wWth Brazil, It’s Ancelotti

The Brazilian FA’s social media post says it all. Hiring Carlo Ancelotti to manage the Brazil national team is “more than a strategic move” — it’s also a “statement to the world.”

“He is the greatest coach in history and, now, he is at the helm of the greatest national team on the planet. Together we will write new glorious chapters in Brazilian football,” says Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF).

Way to dial the hype-and-expectation-meter to a Spinal Tap-sized 11. Then again, some hyperbole was probably necessary since this move — Ancelotti departing Real Madrid and going on to coach Brazil at the 2026 World Cup — had been telegraphed for a long, long time. (In fact, its origin story dates back more than three years.)

The fact that the CBF itself pre-empted Real Madrid’s announcement that he’d be leaving — or, indeed, Ancelotti’s turn to say gracias after a total of six seasons and 15 trophies — is also significant, given that he has another year on his contract with the Spanish club and, just as important, their season isn’t over. Sunday’s 4-3 defeat in the Clasico to Barcelona has all but handed the title to their archrivals, but there are three games left and arithmetic has yet to condemn them.

It was common knowledge both that Ancelotti was likely to leave at the end of a largely trophy-less campaign — their one piece of 2024-25 silverware, the European Super Cup, came in August — and that the prospect of ending his coaching career by taking charge of the most iconic and successful World Cup nation appealed to him. But there are norms and customs to how these things happen and the CBF, for whatever reason, went rogue.

Usually, it’s the current club that makes the announcement or it’s the coach (or player) himself, in concert with his current employers. Controlling the message matters, and these issues are often discussed in detail in negotiations. Not here. For whatever reason the biggest and most successful national team in the world appears to have big-footed the biggest and most successful club team in the world. (Not to mention, in the CBF’s own words, “the greatest coach in history” — and their newest employee — who may have wanted to make his farewells on his own terms.)

That’s done now, and we’ll see what the fallout, if any, will be. But it’s worth remembering that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, now in his third decade as club supremo, has a very long memory and that he pays the salaries of several Brazil stars such as Rodrygo, Éder Militão, Endrick and FIFA Best winner Vinícius Júnior.

As for Ancelotti, this isn’t a guy to hold grudges. Heck, he wasn’t vindictive the last time Real Madrid fired him, in 2015, just 10 months removed from leading them to their 10th Champions League crown and their first in more than a decade. He was hugely disappointed and hurt, but he sat tight, took a few other gigs and, six years later, returned after the shock resignation of his one-time assistant and protege, Zinedine Zidane. In four seasons he won another 11 trophies, including two more Champions League titles, a Spanish Cup and two Liga crowns and celebrated like this.

This is a guy who loves the game and enjoys life. That’s much easier to do when you’re not consumed by grudges and give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Ancelotti’s career arc in the game — from being a rigid, tactical obsessive under legendary Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi (with whom he won two European Cups as a player) to a pragmatic players’ coach later in life — is at the heart of his success. He can beat you with “Xs and Os,” but he knows too well that at the very highest level, when you have the very best players it’s best to let them do their thing and just keep them happy and motivated. From Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé, Ancelotti is the Galactico-whisperer.

Add to that the fact that he’s won more Champions League titles (five) than anyone and is the only person to have won each of Europe’s Big Five leagues as a coach, and you can understand what made Ednaldo Rodrigues and the CBF so obsessed with him. Countless Selecao stars of the past (Thiago Silva, Cafu, Marcelo, Kaka) and present (Vinícius, Eder Militao) were ready to vouch for him. His track record speaks for itself as does his ability to defuse tension and deal with media and fan pressure. Heck, he did it for six years at the biggest, most scrutinized club team in the world, he can now do it at the biggest, most scrutinized national team in the world.

The difference, perhaps, is that Real Madrid — if only by virtue of the fact that they can spend money to acquire talent — tend to have short down-cycles in their success, while Brazil are in serious need of a pick-me-up. They still produce more footballers by volume than any other nation, but their international record isn’t what it was — especially in the World Cup, which they last won in 2002. Since then, they’ve only progressed beyond the quarterfinals once and nobody wants to remember that occasion, because it resulted in the most humiliating day in Brazilian football history as they lost the 2014 semifinal 7-1 on home soil to Germany.

It’s the sort of run that breeds failure, toxicity and self-doubt — the two Copa America titles they won in 2007 and 2019 aren’t enough to break it — hence the bold step to break with 100 years of history and hand the country’s vast talent pool and institutional memory to a non-Brazilian coach. There’s a sizable chunk of Brazil’s 211.1 million-strong population that doesn’t remember them lifting a World Cup trophy. That has to change.

As for Ancelotti, he has long said Real Madrid would be his last job in club football. After all, you can’t really top it, and he’s never hidden the fact that, at 65, for as much as he loves the game and the adrenaline it brings, he’s equally happy back home in the Italian countryside surrounded by cured meats or in his adopted hometown of Vancouver, with the wild salmon and the Pacific Ocean.

However, he’s also said he wouldn’t mind coaching a national team, and while his native Italy immediately sprang to many minds, well, the job is taken and in any case: an Italian guy coaching Italy to a World Cup title? Been there, done that.

A foreigner crossing the ocean to take on the complicated ecosystem of Brazilian football and guiding the green-and-gold to their record sixth World Cup in 2026? Now that hasn’t been done. If there’s one coach who could change that, it’s Ancelotti.

Espn.co.uk

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Inter Miami Eyes More CWC History Vs. Palmeiras

Fresh off a landmark 2-1 win over FC Porto, the Herons host Brazil’s Palmeiras Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium (9 pm ET | DAZN.com) with another milestone within reach: becoming the first MLS side to qualify for the tournament’s knockout stages.

A win or a tie would mean advancement to the Round of 16, while even a loss could send Miami through if Al Ahly don’t beat Porto (and finish with a better goal difference) in Monday’s other Group A finale.

However, the Herons want to progress on their terms, looking to build additional momentum after earning the first-ever victory for an MLS side at the Club World Cup and becoming the first club in Concacaf history to defeat a European opponent in an official competition.

“We know that we can make it really far in this tournament if we believe,” defender Noah Allen told reporters on the eve of Miami’s decisive showdown with Palmeiras.

“… We’re going to believe that we can win and get something out of this game to advance to the next round.”

Tough test
For head coach Javier Mascherano, Palmeiras present arguably the toughest test yet for Miami at the competition, given their status as one of Brazil’s biggest and most storied clubs.

Their success has been particularly notable under current manager Abel Ferreira, who’s led the Verdão to two Brazilian Série A titles (2022, 23), two Copa Libertadores crowns (2020, 21) and a second-place finish at the 2021 Club World Cup.

“Clearly, it will be a very difficult game,” said Mascherano, a former Argentina international who played for Palmeiras’ main rival, Corinthians, from 2005-06. “We’re going to face a great team, a team that in recent years has won Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian league.

“They always play for important things in South America with a coach who’s been at the club for a long time. And it’s a club with [Brazilian] national team-level players,” such as Vitor Roque, Estêvão, Felipe Anderson and Raphael Veiga.

The stacked squad also includes Argentine striker Flaco López, who scored in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Al Ahly that pushed Palmeiras to the top of the Group A standings.

Messi factor
As dangerous as the Verdão are, Miami also boast a star-studded roster highlighted by none other than Lionel Messi.

The legendary Argentine No. 10 was in vintage form against Porto, carrying the team on his back for extended stretches of the match and building on Telasco Segovia’s 47th-minute equalizer with a stunning free kick that sealed the 2-1 come-from-behind win.

According to fellow FC Barcelona icon Jordi Alba, Messi gives the Herons an edge whenever he’s on the field.

“What’s there to say? In the end, he’s still a difference maker, he’s the greatest player in history,” said Alba, who came on as a late sub at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and projects as a possible starter on Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“It’s a privilege to still be able to play with him.”

While Messi’s impact has been huge, Miami’s supporting cast has also contributed to this Club World Cup run.

Perhaps no contribution was more vital than Maxi Falcón’s goal-line clearance that prevented Porto from doubling their early lead before the Herons rallied to take all three points.

“Keep doing what we’ve been doing,” the Uruguayan center back answered when asked about the team’s mindset ahead of facing Palmeiras.

“I know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re going to try to get a favorable result to qualify.”

Should the Herons get the job done, they’ll play in the Round of 16 against a to-be-determined Group B opponent on June 28 or 29.

“We’re on the verge of possibly one of the most important games in our club’s history,” said Mascherano.

“May that fill us with hope to play it and not be a burden. But rather a hope and a challenge for this group of players who are doing so well up to this point.”

Mlssoccer.com

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Real Madrid Wins with 10 Men, Bellingham On Target

Ten-man Real Madrid beat Mexican side Pachuca to take a big step towards the Fifa Club World Cup knockout stages.

Xabi Alonso’s side were reduced to 10 men early on in Charlotte when Raul Asencio fouled Salomon Rondon when the veteran former West Brom striker was through on goal.

Pachuca caused Real problems and had several chances and a penalty appeal rejected by the video assistant referee.

Real took the lead when Jude Bellingham ran on to a pass, carried the ball into the box and slotted a well-hit effort past the goalkeeper.

Arda Guler doubled the lead after Gonzalo Garcia laid off the ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass.

Federico Valverde stabbed home their third before Elias Montiel’s deflected effort gave Pachuca faint hope.

Real will be in the last 16 if they beat Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg on Friday (02:00 BST). Pachuca are eliminated.

What was the main talking point?
The scoreline would suggest a fairly comfortable Real Madrid win but that does not really tell the story. After drawing 1-1 in Xabi Alonso’s opening game in charge against Al-Hilal, this marked their first win but they were made to work for it on another hot day – about 33C in front of 70,248 fans.

Pachuca, who had an extra man for 83 minutes, had 25 shots to Real’s eight and were made to pay for missing chances.

Real looked shaky at the back – especially when Rondon was kept onside before Asencio brought him down – and were tested thoroughly by 2018-19 Newcastle team-mates Rondon and Kenedy.

But a win is a win and they will now be confident of progression – when they will hope to have Kylian Mbappe back after a bout of gastroenteritis.

What information do we collect from this quiz?
Which players stood out?
Without Thibaut Courtois in goal this could have been different. The Real keeper ended up making 10 saves, including a crucial double stop to deny Rondon and Alan Bautista – and a save to prevent Carlos Sanchez from making it 3-2.

Bellingham got his 15th goal of 2024-25 – or his first goal of 2025-26 – depending how you look at it.

England team-mate Alexander-Arnold did not do too much of note, on his second appearance for the club, but had a hand in Real’s second goal.

Bbc.com

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CWC: Inter Trio Could Return For River Plate Clash

Injured Inter trio Denzel Dumfries, Marcus Thuram and Davide Frattesi could be available for selection by Cristian Chivu for the Nerazzurri’s final Club World Cup group stage match against River Plate.

According to SkySport journalist Matteo Barzaghi, via InterNews, “Inter could recover some players for the match against River Plate, particularly Dumfries, Thuram and Frattesi. I don’t expect them to start, but they could be available.”

Inter were without the key trio when they scraped a 2-1 win against Urawa Red Diamonds on Saturday evening, two late goals from Lautaro Martinez and Valentin Carboni making the difference after the resilient Japanese side held out against Nerazzurri domination for large periods of the game.

Inter refuse to lose
This means that Chivu’s side sit second in their group on goal difference, level on points with River Plate who drew with Monterrey in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Commenting further on the Nerazzurri performance, Barzaghi said “We saw a team that wasn’t particularly sharp, but the real takeaway is that Inter refuse to lose. They’ve come from behind in both Club World Cup matches, showing real determination not to give up.

“Cristian Chivu, it must be said, is in a tough spot — this is the club’s 61st game of the season, and he hasn’t had a training camp or time to implement his ideas. There are some tactical signs of change, but it’ll take time before we can truly judge.”

The Nerazurri head into the match against River Plate knowing that a victory is essential if they wish to continue their Club World Cup campaign – yet a draw or defeat could be enough if Monterrey fail to beat Urawa Red Diamonds in their final game.

Football-italia.net