Brazil vs Norway Match Preview: Crunch time for Carlo Ancelotti | OneFootball

So far, so good for Carlo Ancelotti. With three wins, one draw, no defeats, confidence is certainly growing within the squad.

The Netherlands, Germany and Ivory Coast have all packed their bags. Meanwhile, the world’s attention is fixated on Argentina, France and Spain, Brazil are quietly going about their business.

Norway stands in their way for a spot in the quarter-finals, yet no one outside of Brazil’s training camp believes a sixth World Cup will be heading back to Rio de Janeiro this summer.

But perhaps those lower expectations have helped. Brazil haven’t won a World Cup since 2002, and while this may be one of their weakest squads in over two decades, their manager has given them self-belief.

The Ancelotti Method

There was no panicking inside the dressing room when Brazil found themselves 1-0 down against Japan at half-time. Reports suggested Ancelotti remained his usual calm self and informed his players the equalizer would come if the players listened to his instructions.

And it’s clear there’s mutual respect both ways between the coaching staff and the 26-man squad. With zero complaints from those not being selected, everyone is buying into his managerial style and pulling together to advance as far as possible.

Take Neymar. He, by now, will know his role at this World Cup is more to influence those within the dressing room, to lean on his experience and guide the younger players who look up to him.

At this stage, Neymar may not grace the pitch again, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t adding to what is happening. He was the first to celebrate with Casemiro after his equaliser vs Japan.

Brazil probably understand they are not the strongest nation at this World Cup. But instead of focusing on that, they are only tuned into what Ancelotti is telling them – and it’s working.

Needed Changes

They do, however, head into this next clash with issues to resolve. Danilo (34) at right-back has been a liability at times, despite his experience, and coming up against Antonio Nusa (21) will be a huge problem for him.

Will Ancelotti stick or twist? It’s likely he’ll keep faith in his right-back so that confidence levels remain high, as will be the case with Casemiro in the middle of the park.

However, loyalty towards experience only takes you so far. Danilo has received two yellow cards and it was his stray pass that led to Japan’s opening goal.

Casemiro also received a yellow card in the first half and was at fault for Japan’s goal last round. Despite coming out and scoring in the second half, plenty of Brazilians had lost faith with his lack of speed in the middle.

Against Norway, who have three midfielders who can all move the ball quickly and are far more agile than Brazil’s 34-year-old, Ancelotti must make sure he doesn’t make the same mistake again.

When Brazil faced Morocco and Japan, Casemiro’s weaknesses were exposed, and now later on in the competition vs stronger opponents, the Italian head coach might not have a second half to rectify his team selection.

Injury Issues

Ancelotti also has to work out what to do now Lucas Paquetá has been confirmed out injured. Matheus Cunha could drop back into his role, or either Ederson or Danilo Santos might find themselves starting for the first time this World Cup alongside Bruno Guimarães.

A decision to only originally bring five midfielders, before Ederson replaced the injured Wesley, could be what eventually knocks Brazil out of this World Cup.

But will that be Norway?

However, that might not be on Sunday. Man City’s Erling Haaland will once again go to war against Arsenal’s Gabriel in what looks to be an intriguing battle. It’s also worth pointing out that Norway, at the other end of the pitch, have failed to keep a clean sheet in four matches.

Containing Vinícius Júnior and Rayan on either flank is easier said than done, and the extreme heat at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday may well slightly favor Brazil over their Scandinavian opponents.

Brazil under the leadership of Ancelotti have always found a way at the 2026 World Cup. His half-time tactical tweaks against Japan were almost flawless, but this time round he will need to make sure he gets them right from the very first whistle if he wants to progress to the quarter-finals.