On Friday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that Fernando Diniz will be stepping down as coach of the Brazil national team.
Despite only having a one-year contract, interim coach Diniz guided Brazil to a 3–1 record in their six games played in the 2026 World Cup qualifying round. He collaborated with Fluminense, the team he helped win the Copa Libertadores with the previous year.
The Brazilian Basketball Federation (CBF) expresses its gratitude to Fernando Diniz for all of his hard work, sincerity, and devotion during his time as coach of the Brazilian national team. In a statement, the sports regulating body wished Fernando Diniz the best of success.
On Thursday, President Ednaldo Rodrigues discussed the hiring of a permanent coach to train the Fluminense national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Mario Bittencourt, president of Fluminense.
Two sources informed Reuters that Dorival Junior, a coach for Sao Paulo, is in the running for the position.
“Diniz’s departure is due to the national team’s results, which were not as expected,” one of the sources added. When it comes to South American teams qualifying for the World Cup, Brazil is in sixth position.
The CBF had Carlo Ancelotti in their sights for the position of head coach this year, but the Italian opted to stay with Real Madrid. The anonymous sources said that Dorival is now Rodrigues’ pick to be the team captain.
“Ednaldo has already opened talks with the president of Sao Paulo, Julio Casares, to express his interest in Dorival Jr,” according to another source.
He said he needed Dorival quickly since the season was about to begin. According to Julio, the matter will be settled by Monday when he spoke with Dorival.
Following his removal in early December by the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice, Rodrigues was reinstated to his position as head of the CBF the following day by a judgment made by Minister Gilmar Mendes of the Federal Supreme Court (STF).