Belgium sack Garcia after World Cup quarter-final exit

Belgium’s football federation has confirmed that head coach Rudi Garcia will leave his position at the end of the month after deciding not to renew his contract.

The announcement comes shortly after Belgium’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Red Devils reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Spain.

While the team managed to make it to the last eight of the tournament, there were concerns over some of their performances, leading to increased scrutiny of Garcia’s future.

Garcia, a 62-year-old Frenchman, was appointed as Belgium’s head coach during a challenging period for the national team.

He was tasked with rebuilding confidence within the squad and guiding a new generation of players following the gradual departure of several members of Belgium’s so-called “golden generation.”

Under his leadership, Belgium showed signs of improvement and managed to secure qualification for the World Cup.

The team also displayed resilience during the tournament, progressing through the knockout stages before eventually falling to Spain, who went on to lift the trophy.

In a statement released on Monday, Belgium football federation sports director Vincent Mannaert paid tribute to Garcia’s contribution to the national team over the past 18 months.

“Rudi Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils,” Mannaert said.

He noted that Garcia accepted the role at a difficult time both on and off the pitch and worked hard to restore unity and belief within the squad.

According to Mannaert, the coach’s vast experience and commitment helped the team achieve a strong result at the World Cup despite facing significant challenges.

“Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and a strong result was achieved at the most recent World Cup,” Mannaert added.

The federation official also expressed gratitude to Garcia and his coaching staff for their dedication and professionalism throughout their time with the national team.

“On behalf of the federation, I would like to warmly thank Rudi and his assistants for the past 18 months,” he said.
Mannaert revealed that discussions are already underway regarding the future direction of Belgian football.

The federation is expected to begin the search for a new coach who will lead the team into the next international cycle, including preparations for upcoming European Championship qualifiers and other major competitions.

Garcia leaves with the respect of many supporters for helping stabilize the team during a transitional period.

However, the federation believes a fresh approach is needed as Belgium looks to build on its recent progress and challenge for major honours in the years ahead.

The departure of Garcia marks the end of a short but significant chapter for the Belgian national team.

Attention will now turn to who will be chosen as his successor and whether the next coach can help the Red Devils take the final step toward winning a major international trophy.