The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. In just over a week, teams will prove their credentials on the pitch across North America. All roads lead to New Jersey on July 19.
While there will be plenty of superstars on the pitch, there will be almost as many recognizable faces in the managerial dugouts. This is perhaps the most star-studded managerial lineup in World Cup history.
Four of the most successful managers of the past decade head to the tournament. Carlo Ancelotti has won the Champions League five times and league titles in five countries, now tasked with ending Brazil's 24-year wait for a sixth global title. Thomas Tuchel oversees England after a historic qualifying campaign where the Three Lions won all eight matches without conceding a goal. Mauricio Pochettino takes on the daunting task of ensuring the United States seize the moment as co-hosts. Julian Nagelsmann, in his 30s, leads a youthful Germany side looking to go further than the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.
There are coaches who know what it takes to win major tournaments. Didier Deschamps will manage France for the final time, having guided Les Bleus to glory in 2018. Lionel Scaloni remains in charge of Argentina after their 2022 triumph. Luis de la Fuente led Spain to Euro 2024 glory. Emerse Fae stepped up mid-tournament to lead Ivory Coast to AFCON success.
Former Premier League bosses are also well represented. Marcelo Bielsa guides Uruguay, Jesse Marsch leads co-hosts Canada, and Ronald Koeman takes charge of the Netherlands. Roberto Martinez manages Portugal, tasked with delivering Cristiano Ronaldo the one prize that has eluded him. Graham Potter will lead Sweden, and at 78, Dick Advocaat will coach Curacao after a remarkable qualifying run.
Only two coaches can claim to have won the World Cup as players. Deschamps is one of three men to lift the trophy as both player and manager. The other is Fabio Cannavaro, Italy's inspirational captain from 2006, now in charge of debutants Uzbekistan.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19. All 104 matches will air live across FOX and FS1.