Premier League Ghosts in the 2026 World Cup Dugouts: The Backroom Crew You Forgot About

The 2026 World Cup promises plenty of intrigue, and not just on the pitch. With 48 teams descending on North America, the tournament will offer ample opportunity to spot familiar Premier League faces lurking in dugouts, technical areas, and backroom operations. Some coaching setups lean heavily on domestic pedigree, while others have assembled genuinely eclectic support structures. Here's a rundown of the nations fielding at least one former English top-flight player in their backroom staff.

Australia

Tony Popovic's managerial appointment is already compelling enough, but the supporting cast elevates things further. Mile Jedinak has recently been described as 'the third assistant coach', operating alongside Paul Okon and Hayden Foxe in what amounts to a stunningly Premier League-flavoured setup.

Iran

Sam Allardyce once boasted about having "beaten off a lot of competition" to recruit Andranik Teymourian for Bolton back in 2006. Two decades on from his World Cup playing days, Teymourian will serve as Iran's assistant coach, his journey from Trotters and Fulham regular to backroom operative complete.

Qatar

Richie Partridge has carved out a rather different career path. After a decade in similar roles at Liverpool, he became the Qatar national team's physiotherapist in 2020. His playing contributions to the Reds' 2001 League Cup triumph amounted to a solitary start, supplemented by two UEFA Cup squad appearances—barely registering on the plastic Treble's pecking order. Still, his extended proximity to Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler presumably served his medical education well.

Saudi Arabia

Yaya Toure's appointment as Saudi Arabia's assistant coach initially arrived courtesy of Roberto Mancini, though the Manchester City legend has remained in post through subsequent managerial changes under Herve Renard and now Georgios Donis.

DR Congo

Herita Ilunga, once of West Ham relegation infamy, now presides over DR Congo's football operations as director of football—quite the career pivot.

Ghana

John Paintsil recently endured removal from his high performance coaching role, only to be reinstated as endurance coach under Carlos Queiroz. His confidence remains undimmed: "We have enough experience to be in the semi-finals or final of the 2026 World Cup."

Ivory Coast

Emerse Fae manages the operation, his Premier League credentials limited to eight appearances for Reading. Former Arsenal player Guy Demel (zero games for the Gunners) brings West Ham experience as assistant coach. Didier Zokora, whose Barclays CV speaks volumes, anchors everything as head of delegation.

Tunisia

This pairing deserves special mention: Michael Hefele, Huddersfield's legendary penalty-misser, and Wahbi Khazri, Sunderland's relegation companion and Tunisia's only multiple World Cup goalscorer, both serve as assistant coaches to former France international Sabri Lamouchi. Dean Gorre, incidentally, is part of Dick Advocaat's Curacao backroom—the Terriers' World Cup representation runs surprisingly deep.

United States

Mauricio Pochettino helms the USMNT during what feels like an existential stopgap reign. Should matters deteriorate, he might answer to assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, formerly of Newcastle on loan.

Argentina

West Ham supporters will forever view Lionel Scaloni not as a World Cup-winning coach, but as the man who cost them the FA Cup in 2006.

New Zealand

Ryan Nelsen occupies a spot on their High Performance and Player Welfare committee. Feels about right, really.

Croatia

Vedran Corluka serves as assistant coach—perfect casting. Stipe Pletikosa, whose sole Spurs appearance came in a League Cup defeat to Arsenal after extra-time, handles technical director duties. Nikola Jerkan, now a scout, managed 14 Premier League games with Nottingham Forest back in 1997—good luck recalling a single moment of them.

Czechia

Radek Cerny brings Spurs backup goalkeeper vibes to the role of Czechia's goalkeeping coach.

England

Henrique Hilario deserves mention whenever possible, ideally without reference to Stephen Hunt and Reading.

Netherlands

Wim Jonk and Ruud van Nistelrooy—the latter patiently awaiting Manchester United's next panic.

Norway

Brede Hangeland operates in a sort of liaison capacity, essentially tasked with keeping Erling Haaland grounded and counting his red M&Ms.

Portugal

Roberto Martinez's assistant Ricardo Carvalho could probably still perform adequately at centre-half. He's not significantly older than Pepe, who acquitted himself respectably at Euro 2024 before retiring.

Scotland

Steven Naismith explained his thinking upon taking over as Scotland assistant: "When I left Hearts, I made a point of not jumping straight back in at the first offer but to reflect on my coaching experiences and wait for something that really excited me." Replacing John Carver must certainly qualify as that something.

Sweden

An Assistant Manager Free-Kick Contest Half-Time Show simply must happen at some point, if only to witness Sebastian Larsson performing his particular brand of magic once more.