ع
The Belgian Football Association announced the departure of Rudi Garcia as head coach of the national team after the side’s elimination in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to a statement from the association, Garcia and the body mutually agreed not to continue following discussions, with his contract due to expire at the end of July. Garcia, who took charge in January 2025, described the period as an excellent journey that had lasted for the past 18 months. The announcement came one day after Spain defeated Argentina in the tournament final.
Garcia was appointed on January 24, 2025, to replace Domenico Tedesco, who had been sacked earlier that month, according to reports from The Athletic at the time of the hiring. In his first assignment, the coach oversaw a two-legged UEFA Nations League play-off against Ukraine, securing a 4-3 aggregate victory that kept Belgium in the top division. His full record with the national team stood at 12 wins, six draws and two losses across 20 matches, a 60 percent success rate that Wikipedia and Transfermarkt both document. The tenure also included qualification for the World Cup and a group-stage win over New Zealand by a 5-1 scoreline.
Belgium advanced from its group at the 2026 tournament before progressing through initial knockout rounds only to lose to Spain in the quarterfinals. Spain went on to lift the trophy with a win over Argentina in the final held on July 19. The Belgian Football Association noted that Garcia had met targets including Nations League survival and a place in the World Cup last eight. Reuters reported earlier in the tournament that questions had arisen around some of his selections, including the substitution of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the Spain match.
Prior to the Belgium role, Garcia had built a career that included winning the 2010-11 Ligue 1 title with Lille and managing clubs such as Roma and Napoli, the BBC noted at the time of his appointment. The 62-year-old Frenchman signed an initial deal running through the end of the 2026 World Cup. His arrival followed a period in which the Belgian side sought to reintegrate senior players and restore momentum after earlier disappointments. ESPN coverage from June 2026 indicated Garcia had pushed back against criticism of the team’s style during the group phase.
The federation has not detailed the next steps for appointing a successor as it turns toward preparations for the 2028 European Championship. Garcia’s exit concludes an 18-month chapter that delivered competitive results but ended short of a semifinal appearance. The coach’s statement, carried by the QNA report, emphasized the positive nature of the shared journey despite the conclusion. Officials will now assess options to build on the progress achieved in recent competitions.
