In the history of the World Cup, only one coach has won two titles: the Italian Vittorio Pozzo, who guided the Azzurri to victory in 1934 and 1938.
Only three people have won the World Cup title first as players and then as coaches. The first of these was Mario Zagallo, who won the World Cup with Brazil as a player in 1958 and 1962 and as a coach in 1970. Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer became the second person to win the World Cup as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990.
France coach Didier Deschamps on June 18, 2026 during training at Bentley University in Massachusetts, US.
Photo credit: Reuters
France’s Didier Deschamps was the latest to join this elite club, winning his first title as team captain in 1998, and his second as coach in 2018. Deschamps came close to becoming only the second person, after Brazilian legend Pelé, to win three World Cup titles when he lost to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina side in the final in Qatar 2022.
Deschamps, who has been Les Bleus’ coach since 2012, emphatically restarted his quest for history with a 3–1 demolition of the 2021 African champions, Senegal, on June 16. Deschamps is one of 15 coaches in the 2026 USA, Canada and Mexico tournament who previously played in the World Cup. Incidentally, the match between France and Senegal saw Teranga Lions coach Pape Thiaw join the ranks of those who have played in the World Cup and then gone on to coach in it.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw during a Brazil v Senegal international friendly match at Emirates Stadium in London, United Kingdom on November 15, 2024.
Photo credit: Action Images via Reuters
Thiaw was part of the Teranga Lions squad that made history by becoming the second African team to reach the quarterfinals at the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan. He famously provided the assist for Henri Camara’s golden goal against Sweden in the round of 16, which secured the West Africans a place in the last four with a 2-1 victory. “The World Cup is the best competition in the world, and Africa needs to showcase its football here,” said Thiaw in New York this week.
However, the most prominent coach is undoubtedly Lionel Scaloni, who took up the Argentina job in 2018. He played for La Albiceleste between 2003 and 2006, featuring in the 2006 finals in Germany as a defender. Scaloni returned to coach Argentina and claimed the title in Qatar in 2022. The 48-year-old native of Pujato is now aiming to become the second coach in history to win two titles and the second to win back-to-back titles.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on June 19, 2026 during training at Sporting KC Training Centre in Kansas City, US.
Photo credit: Reuters
Fabio Cannavaro is the only other coach in the tournament to have won the title as a player. The Uzbekistan coach captained Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup and is a former Ballon d’Or winner. He also played in the 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
Meanwhile, Carlos Ancelotti could secure his first World Cup title as Brazil’s coach. He was an unused substitute for Italy in Mexico in 1986, but played in the 1990 tournament in Italy, eventually finishing third.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino played as a defender for Argentina in all three of their group matches at the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman was a key defender for his country in the 1990 World Cup, in which they reached the round of 16. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre played for his country when they reached the round of 16 in 1986, while Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was the Pharaohs’ lead striker in the 1990 tournament.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos said on Thursday that his team were capable of advancing to the group stage. He was a defender for Belgium when they finished third in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Another former World Cup semi-finalist is South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo. He captained co-hosts South Korea in the 2002 competition.
Vincenzo Montella, appointed Turkey coach in 2023, was a striker for Italy in the 2002 World Cup, while Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo played for Argentina at the 1990 tournament in Italy, where they lost 1–0 to Germany in the final. The others are Australia coach Tony Popovic, who played for his country in the 2006 World Cup; Jordan coach Jamel Sellami, who played for Morocco at France ‘98; and Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who played for his country in the 1998 edition.
