The 2026 World Cup is the biggest in the competition's 96-year history and also its most expensive. From staging costs to ticket prices, the figures are staggering. The same applies to the managers on the touchline, with several earning eye-watering salaries.
Top Earners at the 2026 World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel ranks among the best-paid coaches at the tournament, but he isn't the highest earner. That honour goes to Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who reportedly earns £8.5 million per year. Appointed in 2025, the legendary Italian is arguably the biggest managerial name at the World Cup and has been tasked with delivering Brazil's long-awaited sixth title.
Second on the list is Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, whose annual salary is believed to be around £5.9 million. At just 38 years old, Nagelsmann is also the youngest manager at the tournament, with a remarkable 40-year age gap separating him from the oldest coach, Curacao's Dick Advocaat.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino sits third, earning approximately £5.1 million per year. The Argentine took charge of the USMNT in 2024, shortly after his departure from Chelsea. Tuchel, another former Chelsea manager and the third ex-Blues boss in the top four, follows closely behind on £4.9 million. The England coach faces the daunting challenge of ending the nation's 60-year wait for major international silverware.
Other Notable Salaries
Rounding out the top five are Portugal manager Roberto Martinez and Uzbekistan boss Fabio Cannavaro, each earning around £3.4 million annually. France's Didier Deschamps follows on £3.3 million, while Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman and Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa both earn £2.6 million.
Perhaps most surprising is the position of Lionel Scaloni, who guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. He ranks only 14th on the list with a salary of just under £2 million, earning less than Canada's Jesse Marsch, Mexico's Javier Aguirre, Paraguay's Gustavo Alfaro, and Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui, all on around £2.1 million per year.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke earns approximately £500,000 annually, about one-tenth of Tuchel's salary and a fraction of Ancelotti's earnings at the top.
