Oswaldo de Oliveira and Leão against the tide: majority of the population approves foreigner in the Brazilian national team, says research

Blog do Diogo Dantas: Comments by Emerson Leão and Oswaldo de Oliveira do not sit well with the CBF. The percentage is more than double of those who disapprove: 26%. 8% see no difference and chose to answer ‘whatever’. Finally, 9% preferred not to give an opinion. In the breakdown by groups, approval is higher among men (66%), people aged 16 to 24 (72%), with Higher Education (63%), and from cities in the North and Midwest regions (68%). By income, the highest rates appeared among those who earn between two and five minimum wages and those with higher incomes (both at 59%). On the other hand, disapproval is higher among those over 60 (33%) and illiterates/able to read and write (37%). The survey was not conducted after the controversy last Tuesday, which led the Brazilian Federation of Football Coaches, the organizer of the event, to apologize to the CBF and Ancelotti, and to condemn the statements made by Oswaldo de Oliveira. The company took to the streets between August 15 and 24 and interviewed 2,006 people to gauge the level of approval for hiring a foreigner for the national team and to measure the impact of the Italian’s arrival on expectations for the World Cup. The ‘Ancelotti effect’ is clear in the responses. His arrival has made Brazilians more confident in a good performance by the national team in 2026. For 53%, the chances of winning the title have increased – with 29% stating they have increased a lot, and 24% saying they have increased slightly. 23% believe that the arrival of the five-time Champions League-winning coach does not change the possibility of Brazil becoming a six-time winner. Only 10% believe it has decreased. Despite the cycle marked by frequent changes in coaches and results below expectations on the field, the level of confidence in the national team remains high. 11% believe Brazil is the favorite for the World Cup, which starts in seven months. 32% see the national team among the favorites. 23% believe Ancelotti’s team will be competitive but not considered among the favorites. 22% are pessimistic. Of these, 9% bet on a dignified participation but without a chance of winning, and 9% mentioned disappointment. Men are among both the most confident and the most pessimistic. By age group, confidence is inversely proportional to age. Confidence levels are also higher among people living in the South region, those earning up to a minimum wage, and those with a Basic Education. ‘We are seeing the Brazilian national team growing and establishing itself as one of the forces for the upcoming World Cup. This recognition by Brazilians is very important. We are less than a year away from the World Cup, and with this proximity, the spirit of supporting the national team is also growing,’ commented CBF President Samir Xaud, who continued: ‘Brazil is the only country that has never missed a World Cup, always performing well, and in 2026 it will be no different. And this time, with a special ingredient: the greatest coach in the world will be on the bench. Personally, I am very optimistic that we will bring the sixth title.’ The survey also shows that there is room for Ancelotti to become more known among the population since 28% said they do not know who the coach of the national team is. Even so, almost half (48%) chose his name when asked about the current coach. But names of former coaches (Dorival Junior, Tite, Fernando Diniz, Felipão, and Mano Menezes) were also mentioned. Leão and Oswaldo de Oliveira embarrass Ancelotti. Ancelotti attended the 2nd Brazilian Football Coaches Forum, held this Tuesday at the CBF headquarters. The Italian was honored by the organization with a plaque. However, on stage alongside current and retired coaches, he was involved in an incident that had a negative impact. In front of him, Emerson Leão made a statement against what he called the ‘invasion’ of foreign professionals in the country. World champion in 1970 for the national team as a player and Brazilian champion as a coach with Sport (1987) and Santos (2002), Leão said he doesn’t like foreign coaches ‘in my country’. He then made a self-criticism and stated that national coaches are responsible for this scenario. Throughout his speech, Leão did not address Ancelotti directly. Only at the end of his speech did he wish him good luck without even mentioning his name. Also called to speak on stage, Oswaldo de Oliveira picked up on the theme raised by Leão. Although he did not aim to sound prejudiced, the Brazilian champion coach (1999) and world champion coach (2000) with Corinthians tried to be more friendly with Ancelotti and recalled an episode in which he shared a bus with him in Japan in 2007. However, at the end of his speech, Oswaldo expressed a desire for a Brazilian to return to lead the national team after the upcoming World Cup. The detail is that, although Ancelotti’s contract ends after the World Cup, there is an initial desire for a renewal for the 2030 cycle.