The 2026 World Cup is not only the largest tournament in the competition's 96-year history but also the most expensive. From hosting costs to ticket prices, the financial stakes are enormous. This trend extends to the managers on the touchline, with several earning substantial salaries. Given the calibre of internationally renowned coaches participating, this comes as no surprise.
Thomas Tuchel Among Top Earners
England boss Thomas Tuchel is one of the highest-paid managers at the tournament, earning an estimated £4.9 million annually. However, he does not top the earnings table. That distinction belongs to Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, who reportedly earns £8.5 million per year. Hired in 2025, the iconic Italian is arguably the most recognisable managerial figure at this World Cup and has been tasked with guiding Brazil to a long-awaited sixth world title.
Top Five Highest-Paid Managers
Germany's Julian Nagelsmann occupies second place with an annual salary of around £5.9 million. At 38, he is also the youngest coach at the finals, contrasting sharply with the tournament's oldest manager, Curacao's Dick Advocaat, who is 40 years his senior. USA manager Mauricio Pochettino ranks third, collecting an estimated £5.1 million each year. The Argentine was appointed head coach of the USMNT in 2024 shortly after leaving Chelsea.
Tuchel, another former Chelsea boss and the third ex-Blues manager in the top four, sits just behind Pochettino on £4.9 million. The England manager has been given the formidable task of ending the country's 60-year drought without a major international trophy, a role often described as the most demanding in international football.
Completing the top five are Portugal's Roberto Martinez and Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro, both reportedly earning around £3.4 million per season. France manager Didier Deschamps follows on £3.3 million, while Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman and Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa are each believed to earn £2.6 million annually.
Surprising Rankings
One of the more unexpected names on the list is Lionel Scaloni. Despite leading Argentina to World Cup success in 2022, he sits only 14th in the salary rankings, earning just under £2 million a year. As a result, Scaloni reportedly earns less than Canada's Jesse Marsch, Mexico's Javier Aguirre, Paraguay's Gustavo Alfaro, and Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui, all of whom receive approximately £2.1 million annually.
Meanwhile, Scotland manager Steve Clarke is believed to earn around £500,000 per year, roughly one-tenth of Tuchel's salary and only a small fraction of Ancelotti's top earnings.
