No World Cup title has ever been won by a team led by a foreign coach.

Modern football increasingly relies on tactics, data, sports science, and artificial intelligence. However, when it comes to the World Cup, there are still strange historical rules that seem stronger than any technology or meticulously planned strategy.

Throughout the tournament’s nearly century-long existence, countless “curses” have been mentioned, such as unlucky jerseys, haunted stadiums, or inexplicable streaks of success. But according to Marca, none of these “curses” are backed by such powerful statistics as a particular rule concerning coaches.

The Golden Rule of the World Cup

World Cup history is revealing an astonishing truth: No team has ever won the World Cup under the leadership of a foreign coach.

From the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, all the winning teams have been led by a coach of the same nationality as that team. This has been the rule for 22 consecutive World Cups. If this continues at the 2026 World Cup, many title contenders will face a huge historical hurdle.

World Cup history leaves almost no room for debate. From Alberto Suppici leading Uruguay to victory in 1930, Vittorio Pozzo with Italy, to Lionel Scaloni leading Argentina to world championships in Qatar 2022, all have been coaches from their home country. Throughout the nearly 100 years of the tournament’s existence, there has been no exception to this rule.

Coach Lionel Scaloni and the Argentina national team won the 2022 World Cup (Photo: AFP)

Brazil Faces a Difficult Challenge

The Brazilian national team is one of the teams most affected by this alarming statistic. After more than 20 years without winning the World Cup since 2002, the Brazilian Football Confederation decided to appoint Carlo Ancelotti – the Italian strategist – to the hot seat.

This is the first time in history that the Selecao has been led by a foreign coach at a World Cup. Professionally, Ancelotti is one of the greatest coaches in football history with an impressive track record at the club level. However, if history continues, Brazil will have to break a nearly century-long “curse” to win their sixth World Cup star.

It’s noteworthy that all five of Brazil’s World Cup victories came under Brazilian coaches such as Vicente Feola, Mario Zagallo, Carlos Alberto Parreira, and Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team prepare for the 2026 World Cup (Photo: AP) Coach Carlo Ancelotti and the Brazilian national team prepare for the 2026 World Cup (Photo: AP)

England and a 60-Year-Long Obsession

A similar situation is unfolding for the England national team. Their only World Cup victory in history came in 1966 under Sir Alf Ramsey – an English manager.

In the decades that followed, the English Football Association placed its faith in renowned foreign strategists such as Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. However, all failed to lead England to the top of the world.

Currently, the Three Lions are placing their faith in German manager Thomas Tuchel for the 2026 World Cup. And if historical statistics continue to hold true, England will have to wait even longer.

Coach Thomas Tuchel at the press conference announcing the England squad for the 2026 World Cup (Photo: Reuters) Coach Thomas Tuchel at the press conference announcing the England squad for the 2026 World Cup (Photo: Reuters)

Ronaldo faces his final hurdle

Portugal is also among the teams mentioned. This could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup. The 41-year-old star is still pursuing the only dream missing from his trophy collection: a World Cup title.

However, the Portuguese national team is currently led by Spanish coach Roberto Martinez. Historically, this means Ronaldo and his teammates are battling not only opponents on the field but also an unbroken “curse” that has lasted for nearly 100 years.

Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez is aiming for the 2026 World Cup title (Photo: REUTERS)

Why is the national team level different from the club level?

Interestingly, this rule is completely opposite to that of club football. In the Champions League and top European national leagues, foreign coaches consistently achieve success.

Pep Guardiola succeeded in England, Jose Mourinho won titles in many different countries, and Carlo Ancelotti achieved glory across Europe. But at the national team level, many experts believe that national identity, culture, mentality, and the ability to understand the players play a particularly important role. These are factors where a local coach often has an advantage.

The numbers speak for themselves

All World Cup champions in history follow this rule:

Italy (4 times): Vittorio Pozzo, Enzo Bearzot, Marcello Lippi…

Brazil (5 times): Feola, Moreira, Zagallo, Parreira, Scolari.

Germany (4 times): Herberger, Schön, Beckenbauer, Löw.

Argentina (3 times): Menotti, Bilardo, Scaloni.

France (2 times): Jacquet, Deschamps.

Uruguay (2 times): Suppici, López Fontana.

England (1 time): Alf Ramsey.

Spain (1 time): Vicente del Bosque.

None of the World Cup titles have been won by a team coached by a foreign national.

Will the 2026 World Cup break the curse?

The biggest question now is whether modern football has the strength to break the last bastion of tradition. As national teams become increasingly internationalized and players become accustomed to playing together at club level, cultural differences may no longer be as great as before.

However, history still stands as a warning. For Ancelotti’s Brazil, Tuchel’s England, or Ronaldo and Roberto Martinez’s Portugal, the 2026 World Cup is not just a battle against rivals on the pitch.

It’s also a battle against a rule that has existed for nearly 100 years and has never been broken.