Carlo Ancelotti's First Months in Charge of Brazil

Culture first, then control

Ancelotti’s response has been practical rather than theatrical.

• He learned Portuguese quickly, reportedly taking five classes a week.
• He made visible efforts to embrace local culture beyond the training ground.
• He appears to have softened early scepticism from former players and supporters.

That matters. International management is not only about tactics; it is about trust. Reports have suggested 43% of supporters viewed him positively, against 20% negatively, a useful sign that the temperature around his appointment has cooled.

A more functional Brazil

On the pitch, the shape has been flexible. In his first 10 matches, Brazil have won six, and Ancelotti has moved between 4-3-3 and 4-2-4.

The logic is straightforward:

• Maximise Brazil’s depth in attack.
• Protect weaker areas, especially at full-back.
• Give the back line more security through midfield.

The Casemiro-Bruno Guimaraes pairing has often provided that shield in front of Gabriel and Marquinhos. It is a pragmatic setup, and that is very much Ancelotti’s hallmark.

Vinicius central, Neymar under watch

The biggest individual call has been around Vinicius Junior. Ancelotti has used him in a freer, more central role, trying to recreate the conditions that helped unlock his best club form. That feels like Brazil’s clearest attacking route.

The Neymar situation is more delicate. He has returned to the conversation, but reports suggest he still needs to prove his fitness. With Rodrygo and Estevao also dealing with injury issues, squad balance remains fragile.

Ancelotti’s task before the World Cup is now clear: turn a famous name into a coherent team. The next few camps will reveal whether his cultural adaptation can be matched by a settled tactical identity when the pressure rises.