Brazil have sacked coach Dorival Junior following their thrashing at the hands of Argentina in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
The Selecao lost 4-1 to their arch rivals in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, sparking speculation Dorival would be relieved of his duties.
And the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed his departure in a short statement on Friday.
It read: “The Brazilian Football Confederation announces that coach Dorival Júnior will no longer be in charge of the Brazilian National Team.
“The board thanks the professional and wishes him success in his continued career. From now on, the CBF will work to find a replacement.”
NOTA OFICIAL 🇧🇷
A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol informa que o técnico Dorival Júnior não comanda mais a Seleção Brasileira. A direção agradece ao profissional e deseja sucesso na continuidade de sua carreira. A partir de agora, a CBF vai trabalhar em busca do substituto.… pic.twitter.com/CVbTAOaYPQ
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) March 28, 2025
Dorival pays price for dismal Brazil form
The defeat to Argentina marked a nadir in a rotten run for Brazil, one which has seen them win just one of their last five matches.
Brazil needed a 99th-minute winner from Vinicius Junior to beat Colombia 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier prior to the defeat by Argentina.
The previous international window in November had seen Brazil held to 1-1 draws by 10-man Venezuela and Uruguay.
Brazil have lost five matches in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup qualifying, though they are still very likely to progress to the 48-team finals as one of six automatic qualifiers from South America.
They sit fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying on 21 points, 10 points behind Argentina but six ahead of Venezuela, who occupy the intercontinental play-off spot.
Brazil face Ecuador and Paraguay in the next round of qualifiers in June.
Jorge Jesus the favourite for Brazil job
Reports in Brazil suggest Jorge Jesus is the favourite to succeed Dorival.
The journeyman Portuguese coach has never coached in international football, though he did enjoy a brief but successful spell in Brazilian football.
Jesus was the coach from June 2019 to July 2020, winning five trophies in that stint.
Those honours included the 2019 Copa Libertadores, Flamengo winning the biggest prize in South American football for the first time since 1981. Jesus also delivered Flamengo’s first Serie A title since 2009 and won the Recopa Sudamericana, Supercopa do Brasil and Campeonato Carioca.
Jesus is currently in charge of Al Hilal, whom he led to Saudi Pro League glory last season.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has also been mentioned as a potential candidate. However, Ancelotti distanced himself from those reports in his press conference on Friday.
“My contract is clear, I have nothing more to add,” Ancelotti said.
“I have great affection for the Brazil National Team, their players and their fans, but I have a contract with Real Madrid.”
