Fourteen Experienced Managers Return as World Cup 2026™ Beckons

With the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ gathering pace, FIFA has spotlighted a compelling subplot ahead of the tournament in North America: experience on the touchline.

According to FIFA, fourteen coaches preparing for the global finals have previously led teams at the World Cup — a blend of decorated champions, seasoned tacticians, and returning strategists eager for another shot at glory.

Among them are two World Cup-winning coaches — Didier Deschamps and Lionel Scaloni — while veterans such as Javier Aguirre and Marcelo Bielsa trace their World Cup managerial journeys back to 2002.

Experience: Advantage or Illusion?

FIFA notes that while experience can provide tactical depth and psychological maturity, it does not guarantee success. Nor does a lack of World Cup pedigree eliminate the possibility of a breakthrough.

Scaloni offers a recent example. Entering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ without prior experience as a head coach at the finals — though he had served as an assistant in 2018 — he guided Argentina to the title in one of the most dramatic tournaments in history.

Still, FIFA observes that returning to the World Cup stage for a second or third campaign brings a different understanding of pressure, preparation, messaging, and tournament rhythm.

Here is a closer look at the returning masterminds set to patrol the technical areas in 2026.

Didier Deschamps (France): 2018, 2022, 2026

At 57, Deschamps will oversee one of France’s most gifted generations, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe. Having lifted the trophy as captain in 1998 and as coach in 2018, he came within a whisker of defending the crown in 2022, losing an epic final to Argentina.

A third World Cup campaign places him among the most experienced leaders at the tournament.

Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay): 2002, 2010, 2026

Nicknamed “El Loco,” Bielsa will uniquely have managed three different nations at the World Cup — Argentina, Chile, and now Uruguay.

His 2002 Argentina side suffered a shock group-stage exit. In 2010, Chile showed flashes of a golden generation before falling to Brazil. Now with Uruguay, he seeks redemption after their disappointing Qatar 2022 campaign.

Herve Renard (Saudi Arabia): 2018, 2022, 2026

Renard’s World Cup résumé includes Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022, where he masterminded one of the tournament’s greatest upsets — a 2-1 victory over eventual champions Argentina.

He returns to the global stage after a stint with France at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

Javier Aguirre (Mexico): 2002, 2010, 2026

“El Vasco” has been a constant presence in Mexico. Twice, he led El Tri past the group stage, only to fall in the Round of 16. Now, on home soil in 2026, Aguirre faces perhaps the most demanding chapter of his World Cup career.

Roberto Martinez (Portugal): 2018, 2022, 2026

Martinez enjoyed a high in 2018 when Belgium finished third. Four years later, their golden generation faltered in the group stage. Now leading Portugal as UEFA Nations League champions, he seeks to channel his experience into another deep run.

Zlatko Dalic (Croatia): 2018, 2022, 2026

Dalic steered Croatia to the 2018 final and followed up with a third-place finish in 2022. With a new-look squad emerging, his 2026 challenge begins in a demanding group featuring England, Ghana, and Panama.

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina): 2022, 2026

From assistant in 2018 to champion in 2022, Scaloni now returns seeking to defend the title. FIFA notes that repeating the feat would place him among the rare managers to lift the trophy twice — a distinction that eluded Argentine icons Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo in successive tournaments.

Gustavo Alfaro (Paraguay): 2022, 2026

After guiding Ecuador to a spirited showing in Qatar, Alfaro now leads Paraguay back to the World Cup stage for the first time in 16 years.

Walid Regragui (Morocco): 2022, 2026

The architect of Morocco’s historic fourth-place finish in Qatar remains at the helm. FIFA describes that campaign as one of the tournament’s most outstanding in history.

Hajime Moriyasu (Japan): 2022, 2026

Japan topped a formidable group in Qatar before falling on penalties to Croatia. Moriyasu now aims to push the Samurai Blue beyond the Round of 16 barrier.

Hong Myungbo (Korea Republic): 2014, 2026

After a difficult 2014 campaign, the former national captain returns with a rejuvenated squad eager to make a stronger impression.

Otto Addo (Ghana): 2022, 2026

Addo stepped down following Ghana’s early exit in 2022 but returned in 2024, leading the Black Stars back to the global finals by October 2025.

Vladimir Petkovic (Algeria): 2018, 2026

Having led Switzerland to the knockout stage in 2018, Petkovic now takes charge of Algeria as they return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence.

Murat Yakin (Switzerland): 2022, 2026

Yakin guided Switzerland through a dramatic group in Qatar before suffering a heavy defeat to Portugal in the Round of 16. He returns determined to build on that foundation.

A Tournament of Second Chances

As FIFA emphasises, the World Cup offers no guarantees — not for veterans nor debutants. Experience may sharpen instincts, but football’s greatest stage has always belonged to those who adapt fastest to its unforgiving rhythm.

When the FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the spotlight will not only shine on the players. It will also rest firmly on the men pacing the technical areas — some chasing history, others redemption, all united by one more opportunity at football’s ultimate prize

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