Qatar 2022: Thibaut Courtois' Belgium and 9 other National Teams defying a lengthy World Cup tradition

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, 10 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 Cup champion manager.

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