Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has become the latest national team manager to leave his position in the aftermath of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the number of coaching departures since the tournament to 17.
Garcia’s exit follows Belgium’s quarter-final elimination at the hands of eventual champions Spain, who went on to defeat Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final.
The Royal Belgian Football Association confirmed on Monday that Garcia’s contract, which expires on July 31, will not be renewed, ending his spell in charge of the Red Devils.
The 62-year-old oversaw Belgium’s run to the last eight before their campaign came to an end against Spain.
His departure adds to a wave of managerial changes across national teams, with some coaches resigning after disappointing performances, others reaching the end of their contracts, and a few being dismissed during or after the competition.
See coaches who have left their national teams after the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
- Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year spell in charge after the tournament.
- Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Stepped down after Portugal’s Round of 16 defeat to Spain.
- Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Brought his nine-year tenure to an end following Croatia’s Round of 32 exit against Portugal.
- Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico were knocked out by England in the Round of 16.
- Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left his position after the Dutch exited in the Round of 32.
- Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) – Resigned following Ecuador’s Round of 32 elimination.
- Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – Stepped down after Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.
- Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Left his role after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage.
- Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Resigned after South Korea’s early exit from the competition.
- Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Was dismissed after Tunisia’s opening 5-1 defeat at the tournament.
- Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down following Czechia’s group-stage elimination.
- Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated after Senegal’s exit.
- Rudi Garcia (Belgium) – Will leave after his contract expires following Belgium’s quarter-final finish.
- Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) – Resigned after Ghana were eliminated in the Round of 32.
- Jamal Sellami (Jordan) – Left his position after Jordan’s early exit.
- Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Departed following Algeria’s disappointing tournament campaign.
- Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Stepped down after Germany were knocked out in the Round of 32.
The latest round of departures highlights the intense pressure national team coaches face after major international tournaments, with many football associations opting for fresh leadership ahead of the next competitive cycle.
[email protected]