Brazil drops to 16th in NY Times ranking after round‑of‑16 exit

Brazil was relegated to 16th place in the updated ranking by The Athletic, the sports arm of the New York Times, right after the quarter‑final line‑up for World Cup 2026 was set. The team, led by Carlo Ancelotti, lost 2‑1 to Norway and fell behind nations like Canada and Cape Verde. In its most recent official match, Brazil drew 1‑1 with Tunisia on 18‑Nov‑2025, maintaining a recent form of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Why does the ranking place Brazil so low?

The American outlet judged Brazil's campaign as below expectations, mainly because of the early knockout and a lack of decisive goals. Although Neymar converted a penalty in stoppage time, he entered only in the final minutes, which wasn’t enough to alter the result. The ranking also noted Brazil's five‑match winless streak against Norway as a negative factor.

How are other teams positioned?

In the list, Canada (14th) and Cape Verde (15th) outrank Brazil despite already being out of the quarter‑finals. The Athletic praised Cape Verde’s historic run, which held Spain to a draw, knocked Uruguay out in the group stage and only fell to Argentina in the round of 16. Ahead, France tops the ranking, followed by Spain, Argentina, England, Morocco, Norway, Belgium and Switzerland – all still vying for semifinal spots.

What does this mean for Brazil and the immediate future?

Finishing outside the top‑10 in the FIFA ranking, now at 11th, matches the second‑worst campaign in Brazilian history, alongside 1966. Pressure on Ancelotti mounts, and the Brazilian Football Confederation may look for tactical tweaks or even a coaching change before the next official tournament. Meanwhile, fans remain split between criticism of the performance and hope that the next cycle brings renewal.

What’s next for Brazil?

With the group stage over, the squad has little time to regroup before the preparatory friendlies for the 2028 World Cup. The next match will be against Argentina on 23‑Mar‑2026, where the coach is expected to test new attacking options and shore up the defence. Results in these games will be vital to restore Brazil’s credibility with the international press and the nation itself.