Dorival Junior, the new head coach, vows to improve Brazil’s situation

Dorival Junior, aged 61, was introduced on Thursday as the new head coach of the Brazil men’s national team. Promising a turnaround after a series of poor results in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the former Sao Paulo coach has signed a contract until December 2026. He takes charge following the dismissal of Fernando Diniz.

Addressing a news conference, Dorival stated, “Today, I represent the most successful team globally, one that inspires many worldwide. It has the obligation to reclaim victory.” Despite the challenging moment, he added, “Our situation is tough, but not impossible to reverse quickly.”

The five-time world champions have faced turbulence since their 2022 World Cup quarter-final exit, leading to the departure of coach Tite. After Tite, Under-20 coach Ramon Menezes briefly guided Brazil before Diniz’s interim appointment last year.

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In the current South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Brazil has struggled, losing three out of six matches and winning only two. They currently sit sixth in the standings, trailing leaders Argentina by eight points.

Dorival became the top candidate for the coaching position after Carlo Ancelotti extended his contract with Real Madrid. Dorival emphasizes the need for solutions, stating, “We need to deliver a reliable national team, one that gives us all credibility. Brazilian football is strong, and it cannot go through the current challenges without learning and finding a new way forward.”