logo
Ancelotti Arrives in Brazil to Take over as Head Coach of National Team

Ancelotti Arrives in Brazil to Take over as Head Coach of National Team

Asharq Al-Awsat26-05-2025

Carlo Ancelotti wore a Brazil national team cap when he arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday on the eve of his formal introduction as head coach. He is the first foreigner to coach the five-time World Cup winners full-time in a century.
The 65-year-old Italian, who arrived in Brazil just before 9 p.m. local time with several family members and his coaching staff, will also announce his squad Monday for two South American World Cup qualifying matches next month against Ecuador and Paraguay, The Associated Press reported.
Ancelotti arrived hours after Samir Xaud was elected for a four-year term as president of the Brazilian soccer confederation. Sunday's election marked the end of a tumultuous process, mired in legal procedures that removed Ednaldo Rodrigues as CBF president. It was Rodrigues who hired Ancelotti from Real Madrid.
There was no organized reception for Ancelotti; only one fan wearing a Brazil shirt saw Ancelotti leave Rio's international airport after his arrival on a private jet.
He will find more local warmth at the hotel where he's set to give his first news conference as Brazil coach on Monday.
Some fans who were casually wearing Brazil's shirt at the airport said they're optimistic about the team's chances under the new coach.
Before Ancelotti, Brazil caretaker coaches Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz failed to bring good results and performances, and Dorival Júnior was fired in March after a 4-1 defeat at Argentina.
Ancelotti, whose contract with Brazil runs through the next World Cup, is expected to meet the CBF leadership before facing the domestic media.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

On Brink of Making History, Inter Miami to Go all in Against Palmeiras
On Brink of Making History, Inter Miami to Go all in Against Palmeiras

Asharq Al-Awsat

timean hour ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

On Brink of Making History, Inter Miami to Go all in Against Palmeiras

Inter Miami have no intention to play for a draw when they face Palmeiras in their final Group A game at the Club World Cup on Sunday, a result that would send both teams into the knockout stages. It would be a massive achievement for Inter Miami, who beat Porto and drew against Al Ahly in their first two games, Reuters reported. Palmeiras are top of the group on four points, ahead of Miami on goal difference with Porto and Al Ahly both on one point. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT All four teams can still qualify for the last 16 but only Miami and Palmeiras have their fate in their hands. Palmeiras need a draw to qualify top of the group. The group winners will face the second-placed team in Group B, currently led by Botafogo with six points while Champions League winners Paris St Germain are second on three points. KEY QUOTES: Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano: "We're facing possibly one of the most important games in the history of our club. Above all, let that fill us with enthusiasm to be able to play it, let it not be a burden, not a burden, but an excitement and a challenge for this group of players who are also doing well up until now. "It would be a big mistake if we went into it thinking about not playing it and only about the result. I think that when you think about the result and don't go into it, certain things can happen during the game that make it very difficult to get back into the game. In the end, our idea is to go and win the game like we've always done, like every time we go into a game, whether it's in the Club World Cup, MLS, the Champions League, or any other competition we're involved in."

Al-Hilal Battle Salzburg to Goalless Draw in Club World Cup
Al-Hilal Battle Salzburg to Goalless Draw in Club World Cup

Leaders

time14 hours ago

  • Leaders

Al-Hilal Battle Salzburg to Goalless Draw in Club World Cup

Saudi giants Al-Hilal kept their hopes of advancing alive with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against RB Salzburg of Austria in the Club World Cup at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on Monday. The result leaves the Saudi side third in Group H with two points, following a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid. Salzburg and Real Madrid top Group H with four points each after Los Blancos defeated Mexico's Pachuca 3-1. The Blue Waves must now beat the Mexican side in their final group game on Friday in Miami to advance further. A win, plus a victory by Real Madrid or Salzburg in their match, would send Al-Hilal to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, a draw between Madrid and Salzburg would still allow Al-Hilal to qualify, provided they win by at least two goals. Early Chances Spark Tension Al-Hilal began the match brightly, with Joao Cancelo firing a shot just wide in the third minute. Shortly after Cancelo's attempt, Salem Al-Dawsari tested Salzburg goalkeeper Christian Tzavischitzky. Moroccan shot-stopper Yassine Bono quickly reacted to tip a powerful effort from Karim Onisiwo over the bar. Marcos Leonardo came close to scoring for Al-Hilal in the 22nd minute, but Danish defender Jacob Rasmussen heroically blocked his effort. The second half began with Al-Hilal facing a scare when Salzburg substitute John Mellberg forced a brilliant save from Bounou. Immediately after the save, Kalidou Koulibaly quickly cleared Dorgeles Nene's rebound off the line in the 48th minute. Late Opportunities Fall Short Al-Hilal responded with long-range attempts from Ruben Neves and Cancelo, but the alert Salzburg keeper denied both shots. In the 57th minute, Malcolm missed a golden opportunity after exchanging quick passes with Al-Dawsari when a defender deflected his shot for a corner. Late in the game, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic attempted a powerful strike from distance, but Tzavischitzky collected it cleanly. In the dying moments, substitute Yorbe Vertessen nearly stole the win for Salzburg with a curling shot that grazed the post. With strong fan support, Al-Hilal head into their final group match knowing only victory will keep their tournament dreams alive. Short link : Post Views: 4

Al Hilal held to goalless draw by Salzburg in Club World Cup group clash
Al Hilal held to goalless draw by Salzburg in Club World Cup group clash

Saudi Gazette

time16 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Al Hilal held to goalless draw by Salzburg in Club World Cup group clash

Saudi Gazette report WASHINGTON — Al Hilal kept their Round of 16 hopes alive in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Austrian champions Salzburg on Sunday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The result leaves the Saudi side third in Group H with two points, following an opening 1-1 draw against Real Madrid. Salzburg and Real Madrid top the group with four points each after Los Blancos defeated Mexico's Pachuca 3-1. Al Hilal must now beat Pachuca in their final group game on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. A win, coupled with a victory for either Real Madrid or Salzburg in their meeting, would send Al Hilal through to the knockout stage. A draw between Madrid and Salzburg would still allow Hilal to qualify—provided they win by at least a two-goal margin. Newly appointed head coach Simone Inzaghi described the clash against Salzburg as 'decisive,' but admitted after the game that his team lacked the edge needed to claim all three points. The Austrian side saw their four-match winning streak come to an end but remained unbeaten in the group. Al Hilal started brightly, with Joao Cancelo firing just wide in the third minute and Salem Al Dawsari testing Salzburg goalkeeper Christian Tzavischitzky moments later. Moroccan shot-stopper Yassine Bounou was called into action at the other end, tipping a powerful effort from Karim Onisiwo over the bar. Marcos Leonardo came closest to opening the scoring for Al Hilal in the 22nd minute, but his effort was blocked heroically by Danish defender Jacob Rasmussen. The second half saw a major scare for Al Hilal as Salzburg substitute John Mellberg forced a brilliant save from Bounou before Dorgeles Nene's rebound was cleared off the line by Kalidou Koulibaly in the 48th minute. Al Hilal responded with long-range attempts from Ruben Neves and Cancelo, both denied by the alert Salzburg keeper. Malcolm missed a golden opportunity in the 57th minute after a slick exchange with Al Dawsari, but his shot deflected off a defender for a corner. Sergej Milinković-Savić tried his luck with a late strike from distance, only for Tzavischitzky to collect cleanly, while substitute Yorbe Vertessen nearly stole the win for Salzburg with a curling shot that grazed the post. With fan support strong in the stands, Al Hilal head into their final group match knowing only victory will keep their tournament dreams alive.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store