Brazil has dismissed Dorival Junior as their head coach as they look towards the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This decision comes after Brazil`s 4-1 defeat to Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match. This loss was historic, marking the most goals Brazil has ever conceded in a qualifying game. Although Brazil is currently fourth in the qualifying table, this result raises concerns about their World Cup qualification chances, as they are only seven points ahead of eighth-place Bolivia.
For a nation that last celebrated a World Cup victory in the United States in 1994, expectations are always high for Brazil. However, the Seleção hasn`t reached a World Cup final since 2002. Dorival Junior`s departure means Brazil will be seeking their third coach since Tite stepped down following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced, `The Brazilian Football Confederation informs that coach Dorival Júnior is no longer the head of the Brazilian National Team. The board thanks him for his dedication and wishes him success in his future endeavors. The CBF will now begin the process of finding a replacement.`
The decision to part ways with Dorival Junior was made after a meeting between CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues and the coach. This move could potentially pave the way for Carlo Ancelotti to be hired, a coach the CBF has previously attempted to recruit.
Other potential candidates to take over the Brazilian national team include Flamengo manager Felipe Luis. Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista spoke about this possibility on Friday.
Baptista stated, `I believe Filipe has a promising career ahead of him, and I have no doubt that he will eventually coach the Brazilian national team. However, in my opinion, considering his age and current stage in his career, now is not the right time for him to take on this role. If he were my son or younger brother, that would be my advice. These are personal choices. From what I know of Filipe, I would be surprised if he accepted this challenge at this moment.`
Brazil`s squad possesses enough talent to improve their performance, but achieving this requires a new coach to be appointed before their upcoming match against Ecuador in June. With the World Cup just over a year away, the coming days will be critical as Brazil seeks to reset and move forward.
Benedict Kingsley 
Adrian Whitmore