Brazil Fires Coach Dorival Júnior After Worst Defeat in World Cup Qualifying

Brazil's coach Dorival Junior stands on the sidelines prior to a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Argentina at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos AIres, Argentina, on March 25, 2025. Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo

SAO PAULO—Brazil coach Dorival Júnior was fired on Friday after 14 months amid poor results and disappointing performances from the national team.

Júnior’s sacking by Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues came three days after a 4–1 defeat to bitter rival Argentina in Buenos Aires, Brazil’s heaviest defeat in a World Cup qualifier.