FIFA World Cup™ dugouts have hosted some of world football’s all-time legends; icons of the game such as Mario Zagallo, Diego Maradona and Franz Beckenbauer have led their countries at the global showpiece. But no head coach has been to as many World Cups as Brazilian tactician Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Parreira’s greatest achievement came when he guided Brazil to glory in the FIFA World Cup USA 1994™. He took charge of five different national teams across six editions of the tournament. In addition to two campaigns with his homeland, Brazil (1994 and 2006), he coached Kuwait (1982), United Arab Emirates (1990), Saudi Arabia (1998) and South Africa (2010).
However, his World Cup journey began even earlier, stretching back to the FIFA World Cup Mexico 1970™. After a spell as the Ghanaian national-team coach and brief stints in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Parreira joined Brazil’s backroom staff, serving as a fitness coach during A Seleção’s iconic campaign. He first stepped into the spotlight as a head coach 12 years later, at the FIFA World Cup Spain 1982™, with Kuwait; South Africa 2010 was the now 82-year-old’s last dance on the world’s greatest stage.
We look back on each of Parreira’s FIFA World Cup outings.
Result: Group Stage
Campaign: P3 W0 D1 L2 F2 A6
Parreira’s first taste of World Cup football came with Kuwait, in Spain in 1982. The campaign began promisingly, with a 1-1 draw against Czechoslovakia in the first group-stage match. Unfortunately, that success was short-lived. France and England went on to beat them 4-1 and 1-0, respectively, preventing Kuwait from advancing to the knockout phase of their first – and to this day only – World Cup.
Result: Group Stage
Campaign: P3 W0 D0 L3 F2 A10
In command of another Asian national team, Parreira led the United Arab Emirates into Italy 1990 during his second spell with the nation – having previously failed to qualify for the previous edition four years earlier.
The group-stage draw was not kind to the Brazilian coach, who found himself battling against European heavyweights Yugoslavia and eventual winners West Germany, as well as Colombia’s golden generation, boasting the likes of Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincon. The disappointing tournament ended with a hat-trick of defeats: 2-0 to Colombia, 5-1 to West Germany and 4-1 to Yugoslavia.
Result: Champions
Campaign: P7 W5 D2 L0 F11 A3
Parreira bounced back in emphatic fashion four years later, becoming a world champion with his home nation on US soil at his first World Cup with A Seleção. This fourth World Cup triumph for Brazil ended a 24-year trophy drought and saw them pull clear of Italy to become world football’s most decorated nation.
Over the course of the campaign, Parreira had to make several tough calls, such as removing Rai from the team and bringing in Branco to replace Leonardo. His decisions paid off. Anchored by a solid defence and inspired by decisive performances from Romario and Bebeto, Brazil prevailed against Italy to become champions.
Result: Group Stage
Campaign*: P3 W0 D1 L2 F2 A7
Parreira made a return to Asian football when he was appointed head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team for France 1998. But the Green Falcons were unable to replicate the successful run he had orchestrated four years earlier.
Following defeats to Denmark and France in the first two matchdays, the Brazilian was dismissed before the final group-stage match against South Africa.
* The Saudis conceded six goals without netting any themselves in the two matches played before Parreira’s dismissal.
Result: Quarter-finals
Campaign: P5 W4 D0 L1 F10 A2
Parreira returned to A Seleção’s dugout for another shot at World Cup glory, three editions after leading the side to their fourth title. Spearheaded by O Quadrado Mágico (The Magic Quartet) – Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano – Brazil arrived in Germany as defending champions and tournament favourites, bolstered by recent triumphs at the 2004 Copa America and the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005.
Despite these high expectations, O Canarinho’s campaign came undone in the quarter-finals, where a masterclass from Zinedine Zidane, including an assist for Thierry Henry’s decisive goal, sent them crashing out.
Result: Group Stage
Campaign: P3 W1 D1 L1 F3 A5
Parreira also had two spells at South Africa during the 2010 World Cup cycle. He first coached Bafana Bafana from 2007 to 2008. His successor, Joel Santana, took charge for the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, leading the hosts through the tournament.
Back at the helm later that year, Parreira had the honour of coaching the first African team to host the FIFA World Cup. The tournament began with a moment of pure euphoria: Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thunderous opener – the first World Cup goal on African soil – in the hosts’ draw with Mexico sent the nation into raptures. Despite a 2-1 victory over France, South Africa became the first-ever host nation to fall at the group stage.
