The shocking 4-1 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires left major repercussions within the Brazil national team—most notably the dismissal of head coach Dorival Junior. As the CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) searches for a replacement, the federation will also be required to pay a substantial compensation package to their former manager.
Brazil has faced a turbulent period since the 2022 World Cup, when they were eliminated by Croatia. That result led to the departure of coach Tite. Interim stints by Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz followed, but yielded poor results—just three wins, one draw, and five defeats across nine matches—highlighting the team’s decline.
Appointed in January 2024, Dorival Junior was entrusted with the task of restoring Brazil’s identity and assembling a competitive squad. While his early tenure showed promise in friendlies, the momentum quickly faded.
The team struggled in the 2024 Copa America, falling short without star forward Neymar. Brazil was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Uruguay in a penalty shootout—an underwhelming result that raised concerns.
In the ongoing CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Brazil endured further setbacks, including a 1-0 loss to Paraguay and two disappointing 1-1 draws with Venezuela and Uruguay. The final straw came with the humiliating defeat to Argentina, leading the CBF to part ways with Dorival.
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Dorival Junior’s compensation
Following Friday’s meeting, the CBF officially terminated Dorival Junior’s contract with immediate effect, citing the lack of tangible progress under his leadership. According to O Globo journalist Diogo Dantas, the coach will be entitled to full payment of his salary through the original end of his contract—after the 2026 World Cup.
Dorival’s deal included a termination clause covering both salary and image rights, amounting to over R$1 million (approximately $200,000 USD) per month. With 16 months remaining until July 2026, he is expected to receive around $3 million USD in total compensation.
Dorival leaves with a record of 7 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses from 16 matches in charge. Brazil, still struggling to rediscover its identity in Neymar’s absence, has not yet secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
