Brazil has chosen who to blame for its 2026 World Cup failure—and Carlo Ancelotti isn't at the top of the list

Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup exit in the Round of 16 continues to spark debate across the country. A Datafolha poll released on Thursday shows that most Brazilian fans believe the players—not head coach Carlo Ancelotti—are primarily responsible for the team's early elimination.

Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup exit in the Round of 16 continues to spark debate across the country. A Datafolha poll released on Thursday shows that most Brazilian fans believe the players—not head coach Carlo Ancelotti—are primarily responsible for the team's early elimination.

The survey was conducted after the tournament in North America and reflects public opinion following Brazil's defeat to Norway.

Players receive most of the blame

According to the poll, 47% of respondents identified the Canarinha players as the main reason behind Brazil's Round of 16 exit.

Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff ranked second with 22%, while 18% blamed the leadership of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

The defeat marked Brazil's first World Cup elimination in the Round of 16 since 1990.

How Brazilians rated the team's performance

The survey also highlighted widespread disappointment with Brazil's campaign.

A total of 36% of respondents said the team's performance was "well below" expectations, while 24% described it as "slightly below" expectations.

By comparison, only 5% believed Brazil performed "slightly above" expectations, and just 3% rated the campaign as "well above" expectations.

Ancelotti's approval declined after the tournament

Although Ancelotti was not viewed as the main culprit, the World Cup did affect public perception of his work.

Only 32% rated his performance as "poor or very poor," a lower negative rating than those received by former Brazil coaches Tite, Dunga, and Luiz Felipe Scolari after their respective World Cup eliminations.

Between April and July, Ancelotti's disapproval rating rose from 12% to 32%, while his positive approval dropped from 28% to 22%.

Despite that decline, a majority of Brazilians still support his long-term future. Fifty-one percent approve of extending his contract through 2030, while 37% oppose his continued tenure.

The survey was conducted on July 22 and 23 among 2,004 respondents aged 16 and older, with a two-percentage-point margin of error and a 95% confidence level.