Top five oldest managers in FIFA World Cup history ft. Maldini & Advocaat
Many world-class managers will be standing on the sidelines at the 2026 edition.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the most renowned tournaments in football history, with players and managers looking to prove their acumen and lead their respective nations to a historic trophy.
At 78 years and 260 days, Dick Advocaat (Curacao, 2026) broke the previous record to become the oldest manager in tournament history as of for the 2026 World Cup. However, who are the other senior managers who have led a national side in a World Cup?
The top five oldest managers who have led a national team in the competition’s history are listed in this article.
List of oldest managers in World Cup history
| Rank | Manager | National team as coach |
| 5 | Cesare Maldini | Paraguayan |
| 4 | Louis van Gaal | Netherlands |
| 3 | Oscar Tabarez | Uruguay |
| 2 | Otto Rehhagel | Greece |
| 1 | Dick Advocaat | Curacao |
5. Cesare Maldini: 70 years & 130 days
From December 2001 to July 2002, Cesare Maldini led the Paraguayan national team to the FIFA World Cup round of 16. Before the competition, he was hired as a high-profile, temporary coach.
Despite a difficult preparation period that included criticism for his time spent in Italy, he managed to finish respectably in the second round. Maldini was the oldest coach at the 2002 tournament at the age of 70.
3. Louis van Gaal: 71 years & 105 days
Indeed, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Louis van Gaal was the oldest manager. On December 9, 2022, at the age of 71 years and 105 days, he coached the Netherlands in the quarterfinal match against Argentina while having a serious form of prostate cancer.
Before falling to Argentina in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, he had gone undefeated in all 12 of his World Cup games in regulation or extra time (involves 2014 & 2022).
3. Oscar Tabarez: 71y & 125d
Oscar Tabárez led Uruguay in the 2018 edition at the age of 71 years and 125 days, making him the oldest manager at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. “El Maestro” was his nickname.
Having established a thorough youth development system, he led Uruguay for his fourth World Cup (1990, 2010, 2014, 2018). Uruguay advanced to the 2018 WC quarterfinals under his direction before falling to France.
2. Otto Rehhagel: 71y & 317d
At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Otto Rehhagel set a record by being the oldest coach. On June 22, 2010, the manager, who was born in Germany, managed Greece in their last group encounter against Argentina in South Africa at the age of 71 years and 317 days.
Greece defeated Nigeria 2-1 to earn their first-ever World Cup win under his direction. After losing to Argentina and South Korea, they were finally eliminated in the group stage.
1. Dick Advocaat: 78 years & 260 days
Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat made a stunning comeback as head coach of the Curaçao national side with just weeks away from the Caribbean island national team’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
Advocaat’s selection makes him the oldest manager to oversee a team in the forthcoming World Cup. On June 14 in Houston, Curaçao will play Germany to begin their Group E campaign. Moreover, he is going to be the oldest manager in the competition’s history to lead the national team.
Who will be the oldest manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Dick Advocaat.
Who is now the oldest manager in World Cup history?
Dick Advocaat is set to become the oldest manager in World Cup history.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.