Carlo Ancelotti reveals the exact moment Brazil lost the 2026 World Cup
After returning to the country following a few days of rest, Carlo Ancelotti conducted an in-depth analysis of the 2-1 defeat to Norway and acknowledged that there was one specific moment when the tie began to slip away from the Canarinha.
A decision that changed the match
The Italian coach explained that Brazil had the match under control until the hydration break. Although Norway had more possession, much of their passing took place far from the Brazilian penalty area and without creating much danger.
However, Ancelotti felt that his team was beginning to lose control and decided to make a few adjustments.
As the days passed, the coach admitted that his reading of the situation may have been wrong.
“I thought we were losing control, but we weren’t,” the head coach admitted, linking those changes to the shift the match later took.
The beginning of a new era
Beyond taking responsibility for the elimination, Ancelotti made it clear that he will remain in charge of Brazil and that the defeat will mark the end of one generation and the beginning of a rebuilding process.
The Italian wants to build a younger squad, work closely with the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 national teams, and use the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as a platform to prepare future members of the senior national team.
Players such as Endrick, Estêvão, Rayan and Vitor Reis are among those who could take on important roles during the new cycle.
Brazil will seek its own identity
Ancelotti also spoke about world champions Spain and highlighted the quality of a generation of midfielders led by players such as Rodri, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo.
His intention is to develop a more cohesive and direct team that is less dependent on a single player, making the most of the speed and one-on-one ability of players such as Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Endrick and Estêvão.
The 2028 Copa América stands as the first major objective of a project looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup, but whose rebuilding process began after a break Ancelotti is unlikely to forget.
