Rudi Garcia will conclude his work as the head coach of the Belgian national team at the end of this month. This decision was made by mutual agreement with the Royal Belgian Football Association, which decided not to extend his contract.
Exit from the World Cup Quarterfinals
The 62-year-old French specialist led the 'Red Devils' team to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup in North America. However, they lost the match against tournament finalist Spain with a score of 2-1. Garcia, who took command after Domenico Tedesco in February 2025, will officially leave his post on July 31st when the current agreement expires.
Tournament Progress and Criticism
Belgium's campaign at the World Cup drew mixed reactions. The team started the tournament with draws against Egypt and Iran, but then secured a convincing 5-1 victory over New Zealand, taking first place in Group G. They then staged an impressive comeback, defeating Senegal 3-2 in the Round of 32, before eliminating host nation USA 4-1 to reach the final eight.
Despite reaching the quarterfinals, Garcia was constantly criticized for his tactical decisions. Particular attention was drawn to his choice to substitute goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the second half of the match against Spain. The coach later explained that the veteran goalkeeper was experiencing muscle problems and could not play at full capacity.
Association's Reaction and Future Plans
Vincent Manneart, Sporting Director of the Royal Belgian Football Association, thanked Garcia for restoring stability to the national team after a difficult period. He highly praised the coach's contribution to strengthening squad cohesion and achieving a strong result at the World Cup. Garcia himself expressed pride in helping launch the team's generational transition and thanked the players, staff, and fans for their support over the last year and a half.
Manneart will now lead the search for the team's next coach. The 'Red Devils' will resume participation in the UEFA Nations League campaign later this year, playing matches against Italy and France.
