RIO DE JANEIRO:Brazilian football authorities dismissed Dorival Junior as head coach on Friday, just days after a crushing 4-1 loss to Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers. The decision was announced by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which expressed gratitude for his contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Dorival, 62, had taken charge of the national team in January 2024, following the tenure of interim coach Fernando Diniz. However, his stint was marked by an underwhelming qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Despite being five-time world champions, Brazil currently sits fourth in the South American qualification standings, trailing Argentina by 10 points. The Selecao also lags behind Ecuador and Uruguay. With six automatic qualification spots available for South American teams, Brazil’s campaign remains uncertain.
Upcoming fixtures include a visit to Ecuador on June 4 and a home match against Paraguay on June 9.
Dorival’s fate was largely sealed following the humiliating defeat in Buenos Aires. Accepting responsibility, he admitted, “Nobody expected this outcome, and the blame is entirely mine.”
Before taking over Brazil’s national team, Dorival enjoyed domestic success with Flamengo and São Paulo. His appointment followed months of speculation regarding the potential arrival of Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti.
Now, reports suggest Ancelotti is once again among the top contenders to replace Dorival, alongside Portuguese coaches Jorge Jesus, currently with Al Hilal, and Abel Ferreira, who has achieved significant success with Palmeiras.
However, Ancelotti dismissed the rumors on Friday, affirming his commitment to Real Madrid until his contract expires in June 2026, despite his admiration for Brazilian football and its passionate supporters.
Dorival’s tenure began on a promising note with a victory over England at Wembley, thanks to a goal from rising star Endrick. But hopes of a revival for Brazilian football quickly faded after a disappointing Copa America campaign in 2024.
Brazil struggled in the group stage, managing just one win and two draws before being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay in a penalty shootout. Adding to the disappointment, Argentina went on to win the tournament.
Other setbacks followed, including a 1-0 loss to Paraguay and a 1-1 draw against Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers. Fans grew increasingly frustrated as Dorival failed to unlock the potential of top talents such as Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo, and Raphinha. The team’s performances lacked the traditional flair and attacking style long associated with Brazilian football.
Another challenge was the decline of Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, whose career has been hampered by persistent injuries. After a lengthy recovery from a knee injury, Neymar had hoped to return to the national team but missed recent games against Colombia and Argentina due to a thigh issue.
Dorival had previously acknowledged the changing landscape of South American football, noting that competition in the region had grown significantly. “The gap between top teams and lower-ranked sides has narrowed, making every match a tough battle,” he said in a November interview.
Brazil now faces the challenge of finding a new leader capable of restoring their dominance and securing a major trophy—something they haven’t achieved since winning the Copa America in 2019.
