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Arab News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Brazil coach tells Neymar to prepare well for World Cup
SAO PAULO: New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti considers Neymar 'a very important player' and has urged the injury-prone star 'to prepare well' for the 2026 World Cup. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport 'He must prepare well and he has the time to do that,' the Italian said in an interview with the South American football federation on Thursday. 'He's a very important player for us regarding the World Cup,' Ancelotti added. Neymar, 33, extended his contract with Brazilian side Santos to the end of the year this week. Neymar's career has been dogged by injury, and he has only played 12 matches in five months for Santos, scoring three goals. Brazil's top scorer with 79 goals was missing from Ancelotti's first squad at the end of May. With Neymar absent five-time world champions Brazil qualified for next year's World Cup with a 1-0 win over Paraguay this month.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Why are Brazilian clubs doing so well at Club World Cup?
"This Club World Cup is a dream come true for Brazil fans," says South American football expert Tim Vickery, speaking from Rio de Janeiro."Every bus stop, every water cooler... everyone is talking about it. It's full-on."While Britain sleeps, with some games at the newly-expanded tournament in the United States kicking-off at 02:00 BST, Brazil is going wild for it. And no of football fans are glued to television sets following the fortunes of Rio-based teams Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense - as well as Palmeiras, who are based in Sao it is a case of so far, so four have progressed from their respective groups to the last-16 after some eye-catching results which have left fans asking if a team from Brazil can win the Club World Cup for the first time since 2012?Botafogo have beaten newly-crowned champions of Europe Paris St-Germain, Flamengo turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 victory over Chelsea, while Fluminense and Palmeiras have held Borussia Dortmund and Porto United States is hosting most of the games at the 2026 World Cup next summer. Canada and Mexico are also a team from Brazil wins the Club World Cup, what will that say about the chances of the Brazil national team winning the World Cup for a sixth time?"I didn't expect that, most people in Brazil didn't expect that," Brazilian sports journalist Renata Mendonca, speaking to BBC World Service Sport, says about all four Brazilian teams advancing."The way they want to show the world... the Brazilian teams are good enough and could be at the top of the world."This motivates them a lot." Why are the Brazilian teams doing well? Atletico Madrid and Porto have already been sent packing, while both teams from Argentina - Boca Juniors and River Plate - have also been eliminated. Brazil's quartet, however, march on. At least one is guaranteed a place in the because Palmeiras and Botafogo have been drawn against one another in an all-Brazil showdown in Philadelphia on Saturday (17:00 BST kick-off).Meanwhile, Flamengo face Bayern Munich on Sunday (21:00), while Fluminense meet Inter Milan on Monday (20:00)."This tournament is a priority in the way an Olympic athlete will do all of his training and programming to peak at a specific time," Vickery tells BBC Sport."Certainly for Flamengo and Palmeiras, who really want to win it. This is an absolute priority for them and they have programmed to be at their peak now." Is the climate, which the Brazilian teams are used to, helping give them an edge?Both Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have mentioned the extreme heat since the tournament trained in 37C before their 3-0 group win over ES Tunis in Philadelphia."It is almost impossible to train or to make a session because of the weather," said Maresca earlier this week, while Guardiola said before Thursday's match with Juventus that his players must be prepared to "suffer" in the challenging heat of soaring temperatures across the United States have led to matches across the competition implementing water breaks during not all players have struggled in the heat."We're used to it," Botafogo right-back Vitinho, who spent two years at Burnley, said of the high temperatures. "I hope that it works in our favour."Another factor to consider is that all four teams from Brazil have broken away from their domestic season, which runs from March until December, to take they appear fresh and sharp, teams from Europe went into the Club World Cup on the back of long seasons. PSG's first game against Atletico Madrid in Pasadena on 15 June came 15 days after their 5-0 mauling of Inter Milan in the Champions League final in adds: "A few weeks ago the Flamengo president was saying to a mate of mine 'we're flying in mid-season'. "For the European clubs... is the end of their season? Is it pre-season? The European clubs, their planning hasn't been to peak now."Vickery believes there is something else to factor into the conversation about Brazilian clubs doing well."There is more money in Brazilian football," he says."The standard has risen over the last few seasons. One reason is because of the influx of foreign coaches. "Of the four Brazilian clubs here - two have Portuguese coaches [Abel Ferreira - Palmeiras and Renato Paiva - Botafogo]."There's plenty of Portuguese and Argentine coaches in Brazilian football and it's brought more ideas. Even Filipe Luis, the Brazilian coaching Flamengo, his backup staff are all Spanish. "There's an openness to new ideas that there wasn't a few years ago."Mendonca adds: "The timing of this competition is very good for South American teams. They are in the middle of their season, they are very well prepared physically. "They have better conditions now to keep their talented players and even bring back some players. Flamengo, for example, signed Jorginho after leaving Arsenal, while Danilo and Alex Sandro have come from Juventus. "Also Botafogo, they have kept Igor Jesus for this competition. After this he will go to Nottingham Forest."These are aspects that explain why Brazilian teams are performing very well." Is this a sign for the World Cup? Tens of thousands of fans have travelled from Brazil to cheer their respective clubs at the Club World they have proved one of the highlights of the tournament so far, with vibrant atmospheres at all of their have already qualified for next summer's World Cup, but Vickery does not believe the performance of the club teams will have any bearing on how Carlo Ancelotti's side perform next year."What the performances of the Brazilian clubs highlight is the strength of national teams like Colombia and Uruguay," he adds."Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense...a lot of their best players are not Brazilians. "The way that European football treats Brazil, Brazilian football now treats the rest of South America. You have got two of the midfielders for Colombia - Richard Rios of Palmeiras and Jhon Arias of Fluminense."Gustavo Gomez, a centre-back for Paraguay, plays for Palmeiras and Jefferson Savarino, who plays for Venezuela, made the goal for Botafogo against PSG."That's the model - Brazil sells its best players to Europe and one of the ways they replenish them is from neighbouring countries in South America." Who are the Brazilian teams? Flamengo: Brazil's form team going in the tournament, topping this season's domestic earned their place in the tournament by winning the Copa Liberatodores in 2022, their third stunned Chelsea with a 3-1 win to finish top of their group It has been a rollercoaster few years for Fluminense, having won the Copa Libertadores in 2023 for the first followed that up by almost being relegated from Brazil's top flight last season - just avoiding the embarrassment of being in the Club World Cup and the country's second season they are sixth after 11 games and are captained by former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva. They also have the oldest player in the tournament, 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio. Palmeiras: One of South America's most popular club, they are no stranger to success during their 115-year have won 57 trophies, including three Copa Libertadores - the South American equivalent of the Champions League. They were the champions of Brazil most recently in star player is 18-year-old forward Estevao, who will be joining Chelsea after the tournament, having previously sold Endrick to Real The big surprise team in the tournament so far after beating European champions PSG to win their dominated South America in 2024, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian championship. This season has been a struggle though after the departure of key rise, under the ownership of John Textor, has been remarkable going from debt ridden to top of the South American Igor Jesus remains though and is widely expected to join Nottingham Forest at the end of the tournament.
New York Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Brazil expresses interest in hosting 2029 Club World Cup
Brazil has expressed its interest in hosting the 2029 men's Club World Cup. A statement from the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) said that its newly-elected president, Sami Xaud, held a meeting with his FIFA counterpart, Gianni Infantino, on Friday where the idea was discussed. The ongoing Club World Cup is taking place in the United States and The Athletic reported in December that FIFA was considering hosting the tournament in the same location in four years. Advertisement Meanwhile, James Johnson, Football Australia's chief executive, told the Sydney Morning Herald in June 2023 that his country would consider bidding for the 2029 hosting rights. Reports from Africa have also quoted the Moroccan FA (FRMF) chief Fouzi Lekjaa as saying his nation, alongside Spain and Portugal, would want to host the tournament a year before they act as co-hosts for the men's World Cup. 'It all started with an introductory conversation,' Xaud said, via the CBF website. 'I spoke about my goals as head of the CBF and said that we want to be closer to FIFA. I praised the event and the level of Brazilian clubs and, finally, I made the country available to host the next World Cup. 'President Gianni Infantino was very happy and said that it was totally possible. Now we're going to work to make it happen. It's going to be a great goal.' The meeting, the CBF said, took place at the FIFA Executive Football Summit 2025 in Miami. Xaud, meanwhile, was elected as CBF president in May, replacing Ednaldo Rodrigues who was removed from the position after a court ruling in Brazil. Brazil has four of South America's six clubs competing at the 2025 Club World Cup, in Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo qualifying as the respective winners of the Copa Libertadores from 2021 to 2025. The Brazilian Serie A runs from March to December but has paused for a month due to the Club World Cup. (Photo of Flamengo celebrating at the Club World Cup,)
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reviewing Carlo Ancelotti's First Two Matches as Brazil Manager
The legendary Italian coach is bringing order, discipline, and quiet confidence to a Brazil side that has recently struggled to live up to its rich history. With his first two matches under his belt, Carlo Ancelotti isn't just adjusting to South American football — he's laying the foundation for a more balanced and battle-ready Brazil. We revisit Brazil's first steps under Ancelotti with tactical analyst and YouTuber Filippo Silva, aka Tactical Manager. Carlo Ancelotti's debut as Brazil's manager was anything but smooth sailing. Facing Ecuador in the hostile setting of Guayaquil, Ancelotti went with a 4-3-3 setup. The result? A hard-fought 0-0 draw that showed just how challenging CONMEBOL qualifiers can be, especially for a coach still learning the rhythms of South American football. With limited time to implement his ideas, there were few takeaways beyond the grit and shape the squad displayed. Still, there were signs of Ancelotti's intentions. The return of Casemiro after a two-year absence brought stability to the midfield. Alisson, Marquinhos, Vinícius Júnior, and Richarlison — key figures Ancelotti has worked with or played against in Europe — formed the spine of this early iteration of his Brazil. The familiarity clearly helps as the new coach tries to mold a team that blends talent with structure. Advertisement Brazil's second game, a home fixture against Paraguay, offered a clearer look at the direction Ancelotti wants to take. Brazil was dominant throughout, outshooting Paraguay 11-5 and controlling 75% of possession. The lineup was more fluid, with Gabriel Martinelli and Raphinha added to inject pace and unpredictability. It was a slim 1-0 win, but one that sealed World Cup qualification and gave Ancelotti his first taste of victory in yellow and green. 'I'm very happy with today's result,' said Vinicius, who scored the winner, after the match. 'We needed to win at home for our fans too and qualify for the World Cup, which was our goal. 'Now [Ancelotti] will have more time to work, to see what he can improve. Today wasn't one of our best games, but the important thing in qualifying is to win and prepare well for the World Cup.' A Much-Needed Tactical Shift According to Filippo Silva, better known under his moniker Tactical Manager, what stood out in Ancelotti's early games wasn't flair, it was focus. Advertisement 'I liked the fact that the team had a much better defense, more defensive solidity,' Silva said. 'The team was not defending well under Dorival Júnior. In these two games Brazil was very solid with Marquinhos and Alexsandro Ribeiro as the center backs, and the return of Casemiro helps. This was the first window where Brazil got two clean sheets.' That stability is no accident. Ancelotti is known for simplifying roles and making teams harder to beat. For a Brazil side that has too often looked disjointed and chaotic in recent years, his steady hand could be exactly what it needs. 'Brazil played much more like a team,' Silva added. 'It wasn't pretty, both were tough opponents as Paraguay was undefeated for various games and Ecuador barely concedes goals. Brazil finally functioned as a team.' Breaking the Taboo: A Foreign Fix for a Local ProblemAdvertisement Ancelotti's hiring represents a break from tradition. Brazil may have a lot of playing talent but their coaching at the professional level, locally, has fallen behind considerably. Clubs cycle through managers at a frantic pace, rarely giving anyone time to build a real project. Many of the best-performing coaches in Brazil's domestic leagues — like Abel Ferreira and Leonardo Jardim — aren't even Brazilian. Ferreira has been the best coach in the country for the last five years with Palmieras. The Portuguese manager has won 10 titles including two Copa Libertadores. Newcomer Leonardo Jardim, also from Portugal, has his Cruzeiro side tied for first place, but Brazilian soccer isn't a place for long term plans and it's not a stretch to see a head coach having over 10 jobs in less than 15 years. It has also become a carousel of coaches jumping and being fired from club to club, which has hurt the head coaching ranks in Brazil heavily as few coaches ever have time to fully flesh out their identities. Enter Ancelotti, a man who not only brings elite-level experience but also has worked directly with Brazil's top stars at the club level. That deep familiarity is a major advantage. Unlike coaches unfamiliar with Brazil's player pool or culture, Ancelotti steps in already knowing how to manage egos, build trust, and get the most out of players like Vinícius Júnior and Casemiro. Advertisement For a national team drowning in short-term fixes and tactical confusion, Ancelotti offers clarity. His approach isn't about flashy innovation, it's about building a team that understands its roles, plays to its strengths, and competes with purpose. If Brazil wants to reclaim its spot among the world's elite, it needs more than talent — it needs direction. Reclaiming the Spirit of Jogo Bonito, the Right WayThe romantic ideal of Brazil's jogo bonito may be fading, but Ancelotti could help revive it, and not in the way many expect. Brazilian players now leave for Europe younger than ever, learning to operate in rigid, tactical systems. The iconic flair remains, but it's been shaped by the demands of modern football. Advertisement Ancelotti has a history of creating balanced teams that both entertain and win. His Milan sides were masterclasses in harmony, and his Real Madrid squads have always been deadly efficient without sacrificing flair. That's the blueprint Brazil needs. A team that can be disciplined without being dull. Creative without being chaotic. Above all, Ancelotti knows when to loosen the reins and when to tighten them. In a football culture often torn between freedom and function, he might be the rare coach who can offer both. Looking Ahead: A New Core Takes ShapeWith World Cup qualification secured, attention turns to squad building. Silva sees several players already rising in Ancelotti's estimation. Advertisement 'Alexsandro Ribeiro, his stock went up, he could be a starter on the national team,' Silva said. 'Matheus Cunha I thought he played very well… and for what it's worth, Vinícius Júnior, he wasn't outstanding, but we started to see a little bit of a better version of him. If he can consistently play well like he did against Paraguay, he can become 'the man' for the national team.' Vinícius Júnior: Unlocking the Superstar There may be no player more vital to Ancelotti's Brazil than Vinícius Júnior. The 24-year-old has dazzled at Real Madrid, but his national team numbers — just seven goals in 41 caps — still fall short. Vini also famously struggled in his first few years in Madrid, but took off once Ancelotti returned to the club in 2021. If anyone can help the prodigious winger bridge the gap between his play for club and country, it's the man who helped turn him into one of the world's deadliest players. Advertisement Vinícius thrives on space, chaos, and one-on-one battles. He brings energy, unpredictability, and now, thanks to Ancelotti, more polish and consistency. He's already out of the gates strong under Ancelotti with one goal in two games — a small but meaningful step. While some purists may grumble about a foreign coach leading Brazil, even the most die-hard traditionalists can't deny that the team needed help. And it's getting it from one of the most respected winners in football history. Ancelotti may not sip caipirinhas or dance samba, but he understands something that Brazil desperately needs: how to win with style, but never at the cost of structure.
Free Malaysia Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Brazil qualify for 2026 World Cup finals
Brazil's Vinicius Jr celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Paraguay at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP pic) SAO PAULO : Brazil secured their spot at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Paraguay, taking the second of South America's six automatic qualifying berths after champions Argentina booked their ticket in March. A goal from Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr on the stroke of halftime in Sao Paulo made it a winning home debut for Brazil's new coach Carlo Ancelotti. Brazil extended their record as the only team to play in every edition of the World Cup, with the five-times winners set to make their 23rd appearance in next year's tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. Ecuador can also secure a World Cup spot if they are able to avoid defeat in Peru. Earlier on Tuesday, Uruguay took a step closer to securing a spot with a 2-0 home victory over Venezuela at the Estadio Centenario, a victory which also snapped a four-match winless run in South American qualifiers. Uruguay dominated much of the first half but struggled to break down a well-organised Venezuelan defence until Rodrigo Aguirre put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute, heading in at the far post from a Maxi Araujo corner. Giorgian De Arrascaeta doubled Uruguay's lead just two minutes into the second half, firing a superb shot into the top-left corner to seal a win that secures Marcelo Bielsa's side of at least an inter-confederation playoff berth. Argentina needed an 81st-minute equaliser from Thiago Almada to cancel out Luis Diaz's goal and secure a draw with Colombia, avoiding a second straight defeat to Nestor Lorenzo's side. Chile's hopes of reaching the finals ended with a 2-0 loss in Bolivia. Chile coach Ricardo Gareca resigned after the match.
