Brazil’s World Cup run spotlights the growing collision between sports betting markets and crypto

Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t have an anti-Haaland plan. That’s what the Brazil coach told reporters on July 4, 2026, ahead of his team’s World Cup round-of-16 clash against Norway. His exact words: “I don’t think that there is such a thing as an ‘anti-Haaland’ plan.”

Brazil versus Norway is one of the marquee matchups of the knockout stage. Ancelotti, the first foreign coach to lead the Brazilian national team at a World Cup, has posted nine wins in his first 15 games in charge.

His approach to the Norway game has centered on understanding the opponent’s overall strengths rather than building a game plan around neutralizing a single player. Analysts and commentators have speculated about the importance of controlling midfield and defending set pieces to limit Erling Haaland’s influence. Ancelotti, characteristically, has waved away the mind games.

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