Vinícius Jr apologises after Brazil’s World Cup 2026 round‑of‑16 loss

Brazil were knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16, losing 2‑1 to Norway. The defeat ended the tournament for the five‑time champions and sparked widespread criticism of the squad and coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, who scored four goals and supplied an assist for Brazil, posted a heartfelt apology on social media. He wrote, “I know how hard I prepared, how much focus I gave, and the frustration is overwhelming. I apologise to the fans and will keep fighting to bring Brazil back to the top.” The Brazilian striker pledged to continue working for future success despite the disappointment.

The loss marked Brazil’s earliest exit since 2014 and underscored the gap between expectations and performance, with the team’s last World Cup triumph still dating back to 2002.