World Cup 2026 coaches who graced the finals as players
Fabio Cannavaro, Didier Deschamps, Ronald Koeman and Hong Myungbo among those who starred at the greatest football tournament on earth.
FIFA highlights World Cup 2026 coaches' history at the tournament during their playing days
Cannavaro, Deschamps and Scaloni feature
Forty-eight teams will compete at 2026 finals, with 42 nations having secured spots so far
Several of the coaches set to lead nations at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ have experience of competing at the tournament as players. Of the 42 qualified teams to date, 16 have coaches who have performed on the field at the finals.
Below, we list all those men and highlight their achievements on football’s greatest stage.
Ghana competed in their first-ever World Cup in 2006 and Addo was part of the nation’s history-making squad in Germany. He played in two games at the tournament – group-stage wins over Czechia and USA – as the Black Stars reached the knockout phase. He was an unused substitute in their last-16 defeat to Brazil.
Aguirre started every match for Mexico when the nation hosted the finals in 1986. His side reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated on penalties by West Germany. Aguirre was sent off in extra time of that contest, becoming the first Mexican player to receive a red card in a World Cup match.
After missing out on Spain 1982 through injury and being an unused squad member at Mexico 1986, Ancelotti finally got his chance to showcase his quality on global stage in 1990. The midfielder started host nation Italy’s first game of the tournament against Austria but suffered a knee issue which kept him out until the quarter-finals, when he came on as a sub in a victory over Republic of Ireland. He also played in Italy’s win against England in the play-off for third place.
Centre-back Broos featured in three matches for Belgium in their run to a fourth-place finish at Mexico 1986. He even played against now-Mexico coach Aguirre in a 2-1 group-stage defeat against the host nation at Estadio Azteca. Forty years after that meeting, the pair will go head-to-head at that historic arena once more when El Tri face South Africa in the World Cup 2026 opening match.
One of two World Cup winners on our list, Cannavaro captained Italy to their fourth title at Germany 2006. The imperious centre-back played every minute in his team’s run to glory and was awarded the adidas Silver Ball prize. Cannavaro also lined up in the 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
Deschamps also captained his nation to a World Cup triumph, with the midfield general lifting the famous trophy on home soil at France 1998. Deschamps is one of only three men – along with Brazilian legend Mario Zagallo and German icon Franz Beckenbauer – to have won the tournament as a player and a coach. Deschamps masterminded Les Bleus’ title win in 2018.
Legendary Egyptian striker Hassan represented his country at the 1990 World Cup. He played every minute of the Pharaohs’ campaign, in which they drew with the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland before losing out to England, which resulted in Egypt suffering a group-stage exit.
Dutch great Koeman lined up against Hassan at Italy 1990. Indeed, he was an ever-present for the Netherlands as they progressed to the knockouts. In the Round of 16, Koeman scored a penalty but his team lost 2-1 against West Germany, who went to win the title. By the time USA 1994 came around, Koeman was his country’s captain. The Netherlands reached the quarter-finals on that occasion, where they were edged in a five-goal thriller by eventual champions Brazil.
Lorenzo was another who featured at Italy 1990. The centre-back was part of the Argentina team that finished runners-up to West Germany. He played in his side’s first two group matches against Cameroon and USSR before being named in the starting line-up for the final, where his team suffered a 1-0 defeat.
Hong starred for Korea Republic in their memorable campaign at the 2002 finals. The classy centre-back captained a team which dazzled on home soil and embarked on a sensational run to fourth place. His exceptional performances were recognised with the adidas Bronze Ball award. Hong also represented Korea Republic at the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
Pochettino is another former Argentina defender set to coach at World Cup 2026. The USA boss played all three group matches for La Albiceleste at Korea/Japan 2002. Argentina only picked up two points across those games against Nigeria, England and Sweden, however, and did not make the knockouts.
Popovic was in Australia’s World Cup squad in 2006, which marked the nation’s return to the global finals after a 32-year absence. He featured in one of the Socceroos’ four games as they reached the Round of 16, starting in their group-stage defeat to Brazil.
The man who coached Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 represented his country at the 2006 finals. The right-back made one appearance at the tournament, playing the full game as his team beat Mexico 2-1 after extra-time in the Round of 16. The match was one of seven Scaloni played in total for Argentina.
Sellami may be set to lead Jordan to their first-ever World Cup, but he has already had a taste of competing at the global finals. Sellami was in Morocco’s squad at France 1998 and made one appearance at the tournament, coming on as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over Scotland.
Norway coach Solbakken was another who played at France 1998. The midfielder featured in two group-stage matches – against Scotland and Morocco – as well as in their 1-0 defeat to Italy in the last 16.
Thiaw only played one match in Senegal’s stunning march to the quarter-finals at Korea/Japan 2002, but made a vital contribution when he got his chance. The striker’s sole appearance at the finals came in the Round of 16 against Sweden. With the game deadlocked at 1-1 in extra-time, his clever backheel set up Henri Camara to score a Golden Goal and send the Lions of Teranga to the last eight.
Two coaches set for the 2026 finals were World Cup squad members but did not play. Qatar boss Julen Lopetegui was in the Spain squad at USA 1994, while Côte d'Ivoire coach Emerse Fae was in his nation's 23-man party at Germany 2006.