Since the first chapter of its updateable book was written, which consists of 21 stories so far, the FIFA World Cup has been respectful of a pact, of a tradition that has been in force for 92 years. However, in the run-up to Qatar 2022, 9 rebellious national teams are aiming to defy the golden rule of the nationality of the World Cup champion manager.
The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup has a trend that has been in place since its conception: it is the World Cup of firsts. Never before in the history of this tournament has the Middle East served as the host region. It will also be the first time it will be played at the end of the year rather than in May, June and July.
Another new feature of Qatar 2022 is the inclusion of women referees, something that has not happened in the 92-year history of the FIFA World Cup. Emboldened by this trend of innovation, ten national teams are seeking to break with an almost century-old tradition of this tournament: that of the nationality of the World Cupchampion manager.
The nationality pact of the World Cup champion coach: 92 years of tradition
So simple and so lapidary that it banishes any possibility of coincidence: if a National Team wants to win the FIFA World Cup it has to compete in it under a manager of the same nationality. This is how things have gone in 21 editions so far.
It is worth noting that there have not been 21 champion coaches, but 20, as the first two-time champion in the history of this tournament, Italy, was coached by the same manager in both editions: Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938. After that, only 8 teams have shared the glory in 92 years of FIFA World Cup existence.
Thus, the golden group of the FIFA World Cup is reduced to coaches from Brazil, Italy, Germany, Uruguay, Argentina, France, England, Spain and France, the only countries that have been crowned champions of this tournament. Who are the bold ones who will try to put an end to this trend in Qatar 2022?
Vittorio Pozzo, Italy’s manager. (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
9 National Teams that defy FIFA World Cup tradition
Although it may sound illusory, given the obvious differences in level and possibilities among the 32 National Teams that will compete in Qatar 2022, there are two undeniable truths: first, that everyone who participates in a tournament has the aspiration to win it, and second, that the only way not to have even a remote possibility of achieving it is by not participating in it. Under the above premise, the squads that will compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup have a chance, albeit a slim one, of winning the tournament.
Of the 32 National Teams that have qualified for Qatar 2022, 22 comply with the nationality pact of the World Cup winning coach. Get to know the 9 teams that defy tradition and seek to win the tournament without being coached by a coach from the same nation.
Didier Deschamps, the current World Cup champion manager. (Christian Hofer/Getty Images)
Mexico – Gerardo Martino (Argentina)
El Tri is to some extent understandable. For the last 7 World Cups it has been eliminated in the Round of 16; five of those occasions have been with a Mexican at the helm. Thus, for the second consecutive World Cup (Juan Carlos Osorio, Colombian, Russia 2018) it has a foreign manager. Can Tata Martino not only break the curse but take Mexico to heights never before achieved?
Gerardo Martino, Mexico’s manager.(Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)
Qatar – Felix Sanchez Bas (Spain)
Since July 2017, Felix Sanchez has coached the hosts of the upcoming FIFA World Cup and led them to achieve what they have never before in their history, to be Asian Cup champions in 2019. He has also led them to reach the Semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021. Will Qatar break the 24-year drought without a host being crowned champion of this tournament (France 1998)?
Felix Sanchez, Qatar’s manager. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Korea – Paulo Bento (Portugal)
The Korean national team will try to surpass its fourth place finish at the 2002 World Cup. At that time, they were coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink. Now, their hopes are pinned on Portuguese coach Bento to emulate what he did with Sporting Lisbon, a club he led to win several tournaments.
Paulo Bento, Korea’s manager. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Canada – John Herdman (England)
From the outset, whatever happens in Qatar 2022, John Herdman’s work is historic, as he managed to bring Canada back to this tournament after 36 years of absence and after establishing himself as the best team in CONCACAF ahead of Mexico and the United States. In order to make history, they have to beat Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.
John Herdman, Canada’s manager. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia – Herve Renard (France)
Saudi Arabia has usually sailed against the tide: more foreign coaches than nationals have led the country, and this seems to be more of a tradition than a trend. They continue to rely on an outsider, in this case Herve Renard, to take them beyond their best performance at the FIFA World Cup, when they reached the Round of 16 in 1994 with Argentine Jorge Solari as manager.
Herve Renard, Saudi Arabia’s manager. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Ecuador – Gustavo Alfaro (Argentina)
After being left out of Russia 2018, Ecuador bet on Argentine Gustavo Alfaro for Qatar 2022 and at least in the qualifiers he did not fail. In the tough Conmebol, they got the last direct ticket and now they will have to deal with Qatar, Senegal and Holland to think about advancing to the Round of 16 and thus equal their best participation, in Germany 2006.
Gustavo Alfaro, Ecuador’s Manager. (Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)
Iran – Dragan Skocic (Croatia)
The Croatian coach has the tough mission of at least leading Iran to achieve what they have never been able to do, qualify from the group stage of a FIFA World Cup. Qatar 2022 will be the third consecutive World Cup they have qualified for: will they make it?
Dragan Skocic, Iran’s Manager. (ATP Images/Getty Images)
Costa Rica – Luis Fernando Suárez (Colombia)
A wise coach who already has the experience of having coached in two FIFA World Cups, in Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014, with Ecuador and Honduras, respectively. Costa Rica is excited about this, since its best performance, precisely in the 2014 edition, was with a Colombian at the helm, Jorge Luis Pinto.
Luis Fernando Suarez, Costa Rica’s Manager.(Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Belgium – Roberto Martínez (Spain)
The Spanish coach is clear about it. After taking third place at Russia 2018, there is no other option but to win the title at Qatar 2022. He has in his hands the most powerful Belgian generation in history, which has already left behind its youth phase to be in full maturity, which makes them the candidate with the most chances to break the tradition 92-year-old traditon of World Cup Champions managed only by countrymen manager.
Roberto Martinez, Belgium Manager. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
