Who holds the record for the most World Cup matches as a manager?

Helmut Schön holds the record for the most World Cup matches as a manager, with 25 games for West Germany.

Schön coached West Germany at four tournaments from 1966 through 1978. His teams reached the 1966 final, finished third in 1970, and won the 1974 World Cup on home soil. He also guided West Germany to the 1972 European Championship, making his tenure one of the most successful in international football history.

The record is specifically for matches managed at World Cup final tournaments, not for the number of tournaments attended. Carlos Alberto Parreira managed at six editions—the most tournaments—but his teams played 23 matches. Schön’s 25 matches include four World Cups and a record 16 victories.

A common mix-up is Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and as a manager in 1990. He is famous for that dual achievement, but Schön remains the record-holder for World Cup matches managed.