Brazil’s interim coach, Fernando Diniz, was dismissed on Friday by the country’s soccer federation (CBF), according to sources reported by ESPN Brasil.
The decision followed the return of CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues to his position after Brazil’s Supreme Court ruling. Rodrigues and his team were reinstated after being removed due to a Rio de Janeiro court’s findings on irregularities in the 2022 election process.
Dorival Junior, currently coaching Sao Paulo, is reportedly the leading candidate to assume the role permanently, as sources informed ESPN Brasil of talks between Rodrigues and Sao Paulo’s president.
Diniz had been appointed as interim coach in July under a one-year contract, with the federation initially eyeing Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti for a summer appointment after his contract with the Spanish club ended.
However, Ancelotti recently extended his contract with Madrid until 2026, leaving the CBF without their intended option. Consequently, Rodrigues opted to find a permanent replacement for Tite, who resigned after Brazil’s exit in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.
Diniz’s contract was set to conclude before the 2024 Copa America, scheduled to commence on June 20 and hosted by the United States.
While leading Brazil, Diniz also continued as the head coach of Fluminense, guiding them to victory in the Copa Libertadores in November. However, Brazil experienced a lackluster start to their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The team has suffered three defeats in their initial six matches, currently occupying the sixth spot in the standings. In South America, only the top six teams secure automatic qualification, with the seventh-placed team entering a playoff.