Brazil have parted ways with their head coach Dorivial Junior following a crushing defeat to Argentina in 2026 World Cup qualifiers, MySportDab reports.
Brazil Football Federation – the Confederation of Brazil Football (CBF) announced the sack of the former Flamengo head coach on Friday.
The CBF statement confirming the sack of the 62-year-old reads;
“Dorival Junior is no longer in charge of the Brazilian national team. The management thanks him and wishes him success for the rest of his career.”
Brazil is currently fourth in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifying standings. CONMEBOL have been allotted six automatic slots in the tournament with the Selecao tipped to secure automatic tickets to the competition.
However, the thumping defeat to continental rivals Argentina saw the team fall 10 points behind the Albiceleste, who have qualified for the tournament.
Dorival Junior replaced former Brazil interim head coach Fernando Diniz in January 2024.
His 14 months reign in the Selecao dugout has left much to be desired with the team struggling to string together impressive results.
Things came to the head in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifying where they have fallen down the pecking order.
The defeat to Argentina marked the last straw that broke the camel’s back with the CBF making the decision to part ways with the 62-year-old.
Meanwhile, according to Brazilian outlets, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as a priority replacement option for the Dorivial.
Carlo Ancelotti committed to Real Madrid on a new two-year contract till 2026 summer and is not likely to quit Los Blancos role for the international offer.
Two Portuguese managers Abel Ferreira and Jorge Jesus (Al-Hilal head coach) have also been named as potential alternatives for the CBF.
