Brazil's campaign may have ended in disappointment, but coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted to Norway should be viewed as the starting point for the Seleção's next chapter.
Two goals from talisman Erling Haaland took the nation into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. For , it was a first Round of 16 exit since 1990.
"I think we deserved to win the game," Ancelotti said in the aftermath. "We knew they could play that way; they tried to maintain the intensity of the game by retaining possession. We had the game under control for 70 minutes, but Haaland ended up deciding it."
With his contract now running through to 2030, Ancelotti recognised that elimination was an "extremely sad" moment but made clear his focus is already on rebuilding, refining and preparing a new generation to challenge again.
"A defeat is the beginning of a new adventure," the Italian coach said. "We have to keep improving, to find new ideas. It is not an end, it is the start of a new cycle."
It was the first World Cup as a coach for Ancelotti, one of the most decorated tacticians in the history of club football. He took charge of the Seleção in May 2025 so has been in the role for a little over a year – trying to define a tactical blueprint, scouting new talent, and restoring the team’s shattered confidence after a difficult CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.
Ahead of the World Cup, he lost players including Estêvão, Rodrygo, and Eder Militão, while during the tournament Ancelotti saw creative linchpins Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta suffer injuries. It has not been an easy road for the ex-Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayern Munich coach. Ultimately, the World Cup was more of an accelerated testing ground rather than a final destination.
"We will manage this defeat by bringing a fresh impetus to our work and the assessment of the players," he stated, reinforcing that the process will not be interrupted. "We will try to improve and look for new ideas. The same as we did this year. We will manage this defeat with a fresh impetus to our work and in the assessment of the players."
Brazil captain Marquinhos understands well what lies ahead for the Seleção. Alongside Alisson, Casemiro and Neymar, he is one of the survivors from the 2018 and 2022 campaigns.
Visibly shattered, the defender took responsibility and asked for support for the next generation. "I take the blame," Marquinhos said. "I, as captain, and the senior players, we have to take the blame for this so that the next generations can work with a clear mind."
The 32-year-old asked for patience, support, and time – three elements that rarely sit comfortably alongside the historical urgency of the Brazil national team. "They have four years to work towards achieving great things at the next World Cup."
Marquinhos’ words also echo a potentially deeper transition. Neymar, who returned to the stadium where he debuted for the Seleção in 2010, stated briefly to ge tv as he left the pitch: "I tried, I tried. Now it's over. I started here, I finished here."
While Haaland moves on to terrorise new defences, the Seleção has a lot to process. How far will they have to go to renew themselves? Who will be the new leading lights? What kind of new ideas might Ancelotti introduce?
The Italian, with his habitual serenity, at least seems willing to lead this process. "I think the work we've done has been good," he said. "Football is like this; sometimes you have to manage the sadness of a defeat. I am used to this."
Sources: FIFA Official
