"I do not know if the 2026 World Cup will belong to the stars. But the weaker teams are attacking strongly," Brazil's coach told AS on 18/6. "This will be a very intense World Cup. In their opening match, Argentina handled this very well. Some other teams also stood out and defended aggressively. Stars will not play a decisive role in this year's World Cup."

This statement comes despite several star players showcasing their class in the first group stage matches. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, Kylian Mbappe netted two goals in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, and Erling Haaland contributed two goals in Norway's 4-1 rout of Iraq.

However, with two more group stage rounds and five knockout rounds ahead, Ancelotti believes that to advance deep into the tournament, teams will not only need stars to shine but also consistent stability against various opponents.

Ancelotti coached Brazil during their 1-1 draw against Morocco in their opening match of Group C on 13/6 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, My. Photo: AP

Following their draw against Morocco, Ancelotti's team will face Haiti, who lost 0-1 to Scotland, in their second match on the evening of 19/6. The coach, who has won five Champions League titles, assessed that Haiti, despite their loss, played a balanced game against Scotland, demonstrating clear tactics and good physical fitness.

Ancelotti did not field Endrick in the first match but may consider him for the game against Haiti. He noted that while Igor Thiago prefers to surge forward and Matheus Cunha plays more as an attacking midfielder, Brazil's football prodigy possesses entirely different qualities. This, he believes, will be very beneficial in the long run.

"I will put Endrick in the right position and at the right time. That is very important. He has incredible talent, and he is also very patient and mature. That is a key factor in a young player. He is an asset for Brazil in this tournament and future tournaments," Ancelotti said.

The Italian coach also emphasized Brazil's need to shift its football mindset. Instead of solely focusing on their traditional attacking identity, he wants players to learn defensive play and maintain balance.

"I want a multi-faceted era with Brazil, an era that knows how to defend solidly. I want a team that knows how to play every aspect of football," Ancelotti added.

Brazil's football history is marked by spectacular attacking play and high-scoring games. Over generations, they have boasted numerous revered attacking players, including Pele, Garrincha, Romario, Ronaldo Nazario, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho. Brazil also holds the record with five World Cup titles, one more than Germany and Italy.

However, since their last triumph in 2002, Brazil has largely been absent from the final stages. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2006, 2010, 2018, and 2022, alongside a devastating 1-7 loss to Germany at home in the 2014 semi-finals.

According to experts, Brazil's over-reliance on individual talent rather than tactical development has caused them to fall behind. Neymar serves as an example; despite holding the record for 79 goals for the national team, he has never won a World Cup. In contrast, Kylian Mbappe, six years younger, has reached two finals, won one, and claimed the Golden Boot with France.

Brazil hopes Ancelotti will be their savior after past tactical failures. The Italian coach holds the record for winning five Champions League titles, two more than Bob Paisley, Zinedine Zidane, Pep Guardiola, and Luis Enrique. He has also won national championships in five different countries: Italy, England, France, Germany, and Spain.