World Cup stories: The managers you didn't know will be bossing at the 2026 World Cup

It's now 97 days until the 2026 World Cup begins,  and having looked back at some previous tournaments in our first two stories, today we switch it up and look ahead to this summer's festivities. 

So far, we know 42 of the 48 sides that are headed to North America for the finals, and among them, some of the game's best managers will be taking charge of the nations. 

However, there are also some familiar faces in the dugouts you may not have been aware of that are currently preparing to lead their teams to football's biggest showpiece. 

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Fabio Cannavaro - Uzbekistan 

In 2006, it was Cannavaro who led Italy as captain to World Cup glory, in a year he was so good he won the Ballon d'Or - a rare feat for a defender. 

Twenty years later, he's back on the world stage, this time on the sidelines as manager of debutants Uzbekistan. 

The Italian has had an eclectic managerial career so far, having bossed in Saudi Arabia, China and Croatia, before taking his second international post with the Uzbeks in December, with the country having already qualified. 

The former defender's task will be to see if his side can cause an upset in a group that contains Portugal and Colombia. 

Julen Lopetegui - Qatar (C)Getty Images

From the London Stadium to the U S of A, Qatar heads to this summer's tournament with former Wolves and West Ham gaffer Lopetegui as their man in charge. 

It's a second chance for the Spanish boss to manage at a World Cup, having famously been removed from his post as Spain boss just days before the 2018 finals due to his post-tournament agreement with Real Madrid. 

With nothing on the agenda past July, the 59-year-old will have sold focus on Qatar, having been appointed in May last year. 

Lopetegui managed to steer the side into their second finals in October after a win over the United Arab Emirates. 

David Ramos/Getty Images

Jesse Marsch - Canada

American bosses haven't had it easy transitioning to the Premier League, and Jesse Marsch looks destined to be put in that 'Oh do you remember' type category, after his time with Leeds in 2022-23. 

However, it masks what has been a successful coaching career across the MLS and in Europe with RB Salzburg, as well as how he has performed as Canada's boss since taking the post in May 2024. 

Indeed, the co-hosts have only lost five of their 27 games with the American in charge, and they impressed at the 2024 COPA America, where Canada finished in fourth place. 

With a home crowd behind them, the Canadians are ones to watch this summer thanks to the consistency Marsch has brought in. 

Getty Images

Marcelo Bielsa - Uruguay 

Another former Leeds boss headed to the States and beyond this summer is the man still beloved at Elland Road for bringing the club back to the big time. 

Marcelo Bielsa and his trusty bucket will be gracing the World Cup, with the 70-year-old boss of Uruguay. 

It's the third South American post for the much-travelled Argentine, who has been in charge of La Celeste since 2023. 

In that time, he has overseen World Cup qualification and became the first manager to beat Argentina in ten years as Uruguay's boss. 

(C)Getty Images

Ralf Rangnick - Austria 

Of the plethora of managers that have rocked up at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Ralf Rangnick is probably the most random appointment. 

The German was preferred to Michael Carrick as interim boss following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2021. 

However, things didn't pan out too well for Rangnick, with United finishing with their worst points total in Premier League history and he left in the summer after the club decided not to go ahead with a planned consultancy role. 

Since 2022, the 67-year-old has been boss of the Austrian national side, and heads into his second major tournament with the team. 

GettyImages

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