Ancelotti guarantees that Brazil will win the 2026 World Cup with “success”
Despite a 1-0 loss to Bolivia, Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti remains optimistic about Brazil’s prospects for the 2026 World Cup.
Ancelotti Reacts to Defeat Against Bolivia
Carlo Ancelotti experienced a rare setback in his managerial career on Tuesday (9), as Brazil lost 1-0 to Bolivia at high altitude. The defeat marked his first in the current qualifying cycle, but the Italian coach remains confident in the team’s potential.
In the post-match press conference, Ancelotti praised his squad’s performance and expressed his optimism for 2026:
“I have the utmost confidence in the team and the players. We’re going to have a successful World Cup, fighting in every match.”
VAR Controversy and Referee Criticism
Ancelotti also voiced frustration over VAR, which awarded the penalty converted by Bolivia. He said:
“Today, the referee didn’t award the penalty, it was VAR. We need more control to have a fairer game.”
He highlighted the challenges of playing in La Paz, emphasizing the impact of the environment on the team’s performance:
“It was a different kind of football than usual. Bolivia’s goal was huge. Congratulations to them, but the officials need to control what happens on and off the field.”
During halftime, Ancelotti had a heated exchange with Chilean referee Cristian Garay, showing his dissatisfaction with the officiating.
Brazil’s Historic 2026 Qualifying Campaign
The 2026 season has been one of Brazil’s weakest in recent history under the current qualifying format. The team finished with 28 points, in fifth place, a performance lower than the 2002 campaign, which ended with a World Cup victory.
Despite these struggles, Ancelotti remains encouraged, citing the team’s potential and past successes as motivation heading into the next World Cup.
Upcoming Friendlies in Asia
Brazil now prepares for two international friendlies in Asia:
- October 10: vs South Korea
- October 14: vs Japan
These matches will serve as important tests for Ancelotti to fine-tune the squad before the final stretch of World Cup preparations.
