The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has officially fired Dorival Júnior after Brazil’s humbling 4-1 defeat to Argentina in a World Cup qualifier, the end of his short-lived tenure as national team manager.
The decision leaves Brazil searching for their fourth head coach since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as they continue to struggle for form.
Dorival Júnior’s Short and Uneven Tenure
The 62-year-old manager, who took over in January 2024, led Brazil to seven wins, six draws, and three losses in his 16 matches.
His reign started with a promising 1-0 win over England at Wembley, but Brazil never looked like a dominant force under his leadership.
Despite sitting fourth in the South American qualifiers, the humiliating loss to Argentina, who have already secured their World Cup spot, was the final straw for the CBF.
“The board wishes him success in his continued career. From now on, the CBF will work to find a replacement,” a brief CBF statement read.
Brazil’s Post-World Cup Struggles
Since their quarter-final exit in Qatar 2022, Brazil’s record stands at 9 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses—a staggering decline for a team once seen as perennial World Cup contenders.
The defeat to Argentina exposed major tactical flaws. Brazil looked disorganized, lacked midfield control, and were unable to attack or defend effectively.
It was a stark contrast to their 2022 World Cup campaign, where they dominated opponents but fell to Croatia on penalties after a single deflected shot on goal.
Who Will Replace Dorival Júnior?
The search for Brazil’s next coach is already underway, and speculation is rife. Brazilian media reports suggest that Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is the frontrunner.
Brazil previously pursued Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti before settling on Dorival Júnior. Reports indicate they may reignite talks with the Italian about leading the team into the 2026 World Cup.
What Next for Brazil?
While World Cup qualification is almost guaranteed due to the expanded format allowing six South American teams to qualify automatically, Brazil’s current struggles raise serious concerns.
With just over a year until the 2026 World Cup, Brazil must find stability, rediscover their identity, and build a team capable of challenging for the trophy—something that looks increasingly distant.
The pressure is now on the CBF to appoint the right manager, either Jorge Jesus or Ancelotti reconsider, or will Brazil look elsewhere.
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