Ancelotti Dreams of Italy-Brazil World Cup Final Clash Amidst Play-off Uncertainty

Jakarta – Italy’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains fraught with uncertainty, with the prospect of navigating a challenging play-off looming large. As the qualification campaign nears its conclusion, veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his hopes for Italy’s success and even dared to dream of a final showdown against his current team, Brazil.

Italy’s qualification hopes currently hinge on their performance in Group I, where they occupy the second position. While they trail leaders Norway by a mere three points, their inferior goal difference presents a significant hurdle. Securing an automatic qualification berth requires a monumental effort in their final group match: a victory over Norway by a margin of nine goals or more. This outcome is considered highly improbable, given Norway’s robust defensive record, having conceded only four goals throughout the qualification campaign.

The likely scenario sees Italy heading into the play-offs, a stage that has proven to be a stumbling block in their recent World Cup aspirations. The Azzurri failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament, succumbing to defeat in the play-off rounds. This history casts a shadow over their current campaign and adds pressure as they potentially face another play-off battle.

Carlo Ancelotti, who currently manages the Brazilian national team, has expressed his desire to see Italy overcome their play-off hurdle and secure a place in the 2026 World Cup. Beyond mere qualification, Ancelotti envisions a dream scenario: a final clash between Italy and Brazil.

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"They will have to fight through the play-offs again, which is always complicated. I hope they qualify, they must qualify. To be honest, I think they will qualify," Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Then, we will meet in the final, and everyone will be happy. The Italians, the Brazilians, and me especially. Emotionally, that would be wonderful," the experienced coach added.

Ancelotti’s comments highlight the emotional connection he maintains with his home country while also demonstrating his commitment to his current role with Brazil. The prospect of managing Brazil against Italy in a World Cup final is undoubtedly a tantalizing one for the decorated coach.

The Italian national team’s recent struggles to qualify for the World Cup represent a significant departure from their historical success. Italy has won four World Cup titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), placing them second only to Brazil (5) in terms of overall victories. However, their absence from the last two tournaments has raised concerns about the state of Italian football.

The failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia was particularly painful for Italian fans. After finishing second in their qualifying group behind Spain, Italy faced Sweden in a two-legged play-off. They lost the first leg 1-0 in Stockholm and were unable to overturn the deficit in the return leg in Milan, drawing 0-0 and thus failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

The disappointment was compounded four years later when Italy again failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite winning their group at the Euro 2020 (played in 2021), they finished second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Switzerland. This meant they had to compete in the play-offs once more. Italy were drawn against North Macedonia in the semi-final of the play-offs and, in a shocking upset, lost 1-0 at home in Palermo, thus ending their hopes of reaching the World Cup.

These consecutive failures have led to significant changes within the Italian national team setup. Roberto Mancini, who guided Italy to victory at Euro 2020, resigned as head coach in August 2023 and was subsequently replaced by Luciano Spalletti. Spalletti, who had recently led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, was tasked with revitalizing the national team and ensuring qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Spalletti’s arrival has brought a renewed sense of optimism to the Italian camp. The coach has emphasized the importance of playing attractive, attacking football and has sought to instill a greater sense of confidence and belief in the players.

"We need to play with passion, with heart, and with a clear idea of what we want to achieve," Spalletti said at his introductory press conference. "We have the talent to compete with the best teams in the world, but we need to work hard and be united."

Italy’s current squad features a mix of experienced players and promising young talents. Key players include goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Alessandro Bastoni, midfielders Nicolo Barella and Jorginho, and forwards Ciro Immobile and Federico Chiesa.

However, the team has faced criticism for a lack of goals, with Immobile, despite his prolific record in Serie A, often struggling to replicate that form at international level. Chiesa, on the other hand, has shown flashes of brilliance but has been hampered by injuries in recent years.

The upcoming fixtures in the World Cup qualification campaign are crucial for Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 tournament. In addition to the crucial match against Norway, Italy also face other challenging opponents in their group. The results of these matches will determine whether they can secure an automatic qualification spot or whether they will have to navigate the treacherous play-off route once again.

For Carlo Ancelotti, the dream of an Italy-Brazil final represents a personal and professional ambition. Having managed some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, Ancelotti has won numerous trophies throughout his illustrious career. However, leading Brazil to World Cup glory would undoubtedly be a crowning achievement.

Ancelotti’s appointment as Brazil coach in January 2024 has been met with great anticipation. The Seleção have not won the World Cup since 2002, and Brazilian fans are desperate to see their team return to the pinnacle of world football. Ancelotti’s tactical acumen, man-management skills, and experience in winning major trophies make him an ideal candidate to lead Brazil to success.

The Brazilian squad boasts a wealth of talent, including Neymar, Vinicius Junior, and Casemiro. Ancelotti’s challenge will be to integrate these individual stars into a cohesive team and to create a system that allows them to thrive.

The road to the 2026 World Cup is long and arduous, and both Italy and Brazil face numerous challenges along the way. However, the prospect of a final between these two footballing giants is a mouthwatering one for fans around the world. Whether Ancelotti’s dream will become a reality remains to be seen, but the possibility adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming qualification campaign and the tournament itself. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Italy can overcome their play-off hoodoo and whether Brazil can rediscover their World Cup-winning form under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti.

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Ahmad Zein Salamo

Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth.

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