How Carlo Ancelotti Is Reshaping the Brazil National Team

Since Carlo Ancelotti took over, Brazil have started to look far more structured and disciplined. For years, the Seleção relied heavily on the individual brilliance of their attacking stars. Now, the Italian coach is trying to blend that natural flair with tactical order and defensive balance.

At first, Ancelotti planned to use a 4-4-2 setup, but during recent games against Chile and Paraguay, he switched to 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 respectively. This tactical flexibility has become a key part of his approach — it allows Brazil to adapt to different opponents and find the right equilibrium between creativity and structure.

No More Untouchables

One of the biggest cultural shifts under Ancelotti is his selection philosophy. He has completely moved away from the idea of “untouchable” players. Squad selection now depends on form, fitness, and even environmental factors like climate.

Surprisingly, Neymar hasn’t received a single call-up under Ancelotti so far. Instead, the coach has given opportunities to less established names like Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest) and Luiz Henrique (Zenit) — a clear sign that current performance matters more than reputation.

Tactical Evolution on the Pitch

On the field, the transformation is already visible. Brazil play more compactly, keep possession more patiently, and defend as a unit. The midfield presses better after losing the ball, while the full-backs are more disciplined in transition. These subtle improvements have made the team harder to break down without sacrificing attacking potential.

At the same time, Ancelotti continues to integrate younger talents, reshaping the internal hierarchy and ensuring a smoother generational transition ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The Road to 2026

So far, the rebuild looks steady and purposeful. Brazil have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and Ancelotti’s influence is becoming increasingly clear. The flair is still there — but now it’s guided by one of football’s most tactically intelligent minds.

Published by Patrick Jane
12.10.2025