In an interview with ESPN, Ancelotti said that Brazil lost their World Cup match against Norway because a misjudgment during the second-half hydration break led him to adjust the team's tactics.

The Italian coach revealed this in an exclusive interview with ESPN, his first since the end of the World Cup, 24 days after his team's 2-1 defeat.

Ancelotti admitted that he may have misread the match at that stage, believing that Brazil had already lost control of the game at the time. As a result, he decided to make adjustments.

Ancelotti said: “Overall, I think the work done this year has been successful. From a logistical perspective, the national team has been very well organized in terms of hotels, pitches, and training facilities. I also think the assessment of the players this year has been positive. I likewise believe that the 26 players selected are the ones best suited to compete at the World Cup.” Ancelotti first affirmed the positive aspects of the team’s development.

“But we have to take into account that the original plan changed somewhat because of injuries. From March until the start of the World Cup, we suffered a lot of injuries: Militão, Rodrygo, then Estêvão was injured, and Wesley was also injured before the World Cup. During the World Cup, Raphinha was injured as well. As a result, our plan changed somewhat.

"But I think we lost the World Cup during the cooling break against Norway. Why? Because up until then, the team had been in control of the match. Of course, Norway did have possession too, but much of it was in their own half... That is also how Norway played against England. They controlled the game and, in the end, even had the chance to beat England."

Ancelotti then explained the reason: “Perhaps my mistake was that I thought the team had lost control of the match, but in fact we had not. I changed some of the team’s structure (during the drinks break), and then we ran into the problem of Haaland’s goal. And at the World Cup, when you concede in the 30th minute, it is very difficult to get back into the game. Of course, we also had chances to equalize…”

Was Bringing on Neymar a Mistake?

Ancelotti previously faced considerable criticism for bringing on Neymar in the closing stages of the match, with some arguing that the substitution caused the team to lose its balance. In response, Ancelotti said he does not regret the decision.

Ancelotti said: “That’s not the case. When I brought on Neymar, I took off Rayan and had Endrick play as a right winger. My thinking at the time was that Neymar could provide assists and also show his individual quality at that stage of the game (the 70th minute). It was the same approach I had originally wanted to take against Japan.”

“Why did I choose to bring on Gabriel Martinelli against Japan? Because the team had complete control of the match. Japan were only looking to counter in transition. That game did not necessarily need a goal; what mattered more was... what I was considering at the time was bringing Neymar on in extra time against Japan.”

“I brought Neymar on earlier because I wanted to regain control of the match. Of course, you also have to consider the decisions you need to make. I have heard Tuchel say that he has faced a lot of criticism. The fact is, coaches have to make decisions in very difficult situations. It was an extremely high-pressure moment, and you cannot make the right choice every single time.”

“I think Neymar should have come on at that point. Neymar should have been introduced then because he was in very good condition, had trained very well, and was ready. I like his attitude. I think he helped the team. But his introduction did not mean the team’s structure needed to change.”