He coaches the Brazilian national team, is the most decorated manager in Champions League history, and earns more than several stars on the field. The €10 million salary of the World Cup's highest-paid coach says a lot about modern soccer. We ranked the managers, from #7 to #1. And #1 is Brazilian at heart.
When people talk about millionaire salaries in soccer, everyone thinks of the stars on the field. But there's a secret at the 2026 World Cup: some coaches earn more than several players. And the highest-paid of all coaches none other than the Brazilian national team.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian in charge of Brazil, is the highest-paid manager in the tournament, at about €10 million a year. To put it in perspective: that's more than several players competing at the World Cup earn annually. The bench, sometimes, is more expensive than the field.
Why do federations pay fortunes to coaches? And who are the highest-paid? We ranked the 7 biggest salaries, from #7 to #1. And #1 is a nearly $1 billion bet on trophies.
#7 — Jesse Marsch (Canada): ~€2.5 million
Opening the top of the highest-paid, American Jesse Marsch, coach of Canada, at about €2.5 million a year. He brings a modern, intense philosophy, forged in MLS, in Austria, and at Leeds, of the Premier League.
His mission: to turn Canada into a competitive force in front of the home crowd. He's the "cheapest" of our top 7 — but, as you'll see, even "modest" coaching salaries rival those of many players.
The next one is a legend of the 2006 World Cup. 👇
#6 — Didier Deschamps (France): ~€3.8 million
Didier Deschamps, in charge of France, earns about €3.8 million a year. He's one of the most successful names on the list — a world champion as a player (1998) and as a coach (2018).
Few managers have his World Cup résumé. The salary reflects the expectation: France is always a title contender, and Deschamps is the man trusted to deliver. Experience in decisive moments costs a lot.
The next one is a world champion turned underdog coach.
#5 — Fabio Cannavaro (Uzbekistan) and Roberto Martínez (Portugal): ~€4 million
Tied at about €4 million a year, two heavyweight names. Roberto Martínez coaches Portugal, one of the strongest teams. And Fabio Cannavaro, the surprise: the 2006 Ballon d'Or and world-champion captain for Italy now coaches Uzbekistan, playing its first World Cup.
A revealing fact: Cannavaro didn't qualify Uzbekistan (that was local coach Timur Kapadze), but the federation decided to bring in a name with greater international prestige for the tournament. It's proof of how much national teams value reputation.