Belgium parts ways with coach Rudi Garcia after World Cup quarter‑final

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) announced on 20 July 2026 that it will not extend the contract of French coach Rudi Garcia, which expires on 31 July 2026. Garcia, who took over the Red Devils in February 2025 after Domenico Tedesco, led Belgium to the quarter‑finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated 2‑1 by eventual champions Spain. Under his tenure the team remained in UEFA Nations League A, qualified for the World Cup and began a generational transition that kept senior players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.

Garcia said in the federation’s statement, “I leave Belgium in League A of the Nations League and among the eight best teams in the world.” Sporting director Vincent Mannaert praised him, noting that Garcia “played a key role in restoring the Red Devils in a challenging sporting and financial context.” The RBFA thanked Garcia and his staff and said a “new cycle” is being prepared. Dutch former international Mark van Bommel has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Garcia, with other names such as Sebastien Pocognoli, Thomas Frank and Sergio Conceição also mentioned.