The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has fired head coach Dorival Junior after team Brazil was thrashed 4-1 by Argentina in the World Cup qualifying match on Wednesday in Buenos Aires. Brazil’s star players Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Rodrygo couldn’t do much for their team either.
Dorival, 62, was appointed in January 2024. He was given the top position after his success in 2022 when he won the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian Cup.
Dorival failed to earn the trust of Brazil’s demanding fans. But he took full responsibility for the team’s poor performance and remained confident that he could turn things around. However, the CBF took the decision to part ways with him. Dorival leaves the Brazil national team with a record of 7 wins, 7 draws, and 2 defeats from his 16 games in charge.
Also Read: UEFA Nations League 2025: Four Teams Qualify For Semi-Finals, Fixtures And Dates
Brazil Wants Wins
He had come under scrutiny in July 2024 when Brazil lost the Copa America quarterfinal to Uruguay. Brazil just won one of its group games before it bowed out in a 4-2 penalty shootout against Uruguay. But the last loss against Argentina was too much for Brazil’s management. It was the team’s fifth defeat in qualifying and its first since the 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in September 2024.
Word is that the CBF was willing to wait and see until the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June to relook and reassess the situation following the end of the European season and the Club World Cup in June and July.
