Brazil Fires Dorival Júnior After Embarrassing Loss to Argentina

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has fired head coach Dorival Júnior after a humiliating 4-1 loss to Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match played in Buenos Aires. It comes just over a year since Dorival took office in just January of last year and Brazil sacking their head coach this early comes as a shock for many fans.

Dorival Júnior’s tenure was one of expectation due to the previous successes he had achieved with Flamengo, where he won the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Cup in 2022. His experience with the national side was less rewarding, returning seven wins in 16 games. The team’s Copa América performance was most disappointing; Brazil was knocked out of the quarter-finals by Uruguay in a penalty shootout after losing a one-man advantage for much of the match.

Brazil faces Historic Defeat to Argentina

The recent loss to Argentina not only deepened concerns about the team’s direction but also highlighted defensive vulnerabilities. Argentina’s dominant performance, with goals from Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone, underscored Brazil’s struggles on the field.

This loss was Brazil’s worst World Cup qualifying defeat and had put the team in a critical situation, ranking fifth in the South American qualifiers. With tensions escalating, the CBF concluded that a new leadership was needed to restore the chances of the squad in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

CBF’s Statement and Future Plans

The CBF, led by President Ednaldo Rodrigues, was thankful for the work done by Dorival but indicated the need for change to restore the team’s hopes. Rodrigues, who has overseen a series of coach changes since coming to office, now has to make the challenge of naming Brazil’s fifth coach in more than three years.

Speculation is rampant on who will replace Dorival. Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti has long been in the radar of the CBF, albeit past attempts to acquire his services failed. The other leading candidate is Jorge Jesus, who is currently in charge of Saudi club Al-Hilal. Rumors are that Jesus is willing to leave his current job to accept the national team position.

With Brazil set to face Ecuador and Paraguay in June’s upcoming qualifiers, the need to select a new head coach is urgent. The national team’s current ranking demands swift enhancements to clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The CBF’s choice will be critical in determining the future direction of Brazilian football, seeking to restore the country’s national team’s prestige and competitive advantage on the international stage.