Rudi Garcia departs as Belgium manager after World Cup campaign

Belgium have announced that head coach Rudi Garcia will not remain in his position after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision was made public on Monday, one day after Spain lifted the trophy, following Belgium's 2-1 quarter-final defeat to the eventual champions.

Garcia's contract was set to run until 31 July 2026, but the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) confirmed that the two parties have agreed not to extend the agreement. Garcia took charge in February 2025 as the successor to Domenico Tedesco, and during his tenure he guided Belgium back into League A of the UEFA Nations League and secured qualification for the World Cup.

The 62-year-old's final match in charge was the quarter-final loss to Spain. He leaves with a record of 12 wins from 20 games and only two defeats, the first coming in his opening match in March 2025 and the second in that decisive World Cup encounter.

What happened

Belgium's tournament campaign started slowly, with draws against Egypt and Iran. The team then defeated New Zealand, Senegal and a 4-1 win over co-hosts USA in the last 16, before falling short against Spain.

• Garcia oversaw 20 matches as Belgium manager, winning 12 and losing two.
• Belgium reached the World Cup quarter-finals, their joint-best run under Garcia.
• The RBFA praised Garcia for restoring team cohesion and securing Nations League promotion.
• Vincent Mannaert, the federation's sports director, confirmed a new cycle is already being prepared.

What's next

The RBFA said a search for a new national coach is underway. Reports in Belgium and the Netherlands have linked Mark van Bommel with the vacancy, though no official appointment has been confirmed. Garcia departs with Belgium ranked among the world's top eight, while the squad continues its generational transition.