Belgium head coach, Rudi Garcia, has joined the growing list of national team managers to leave their roles following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking the total number of post-tournament coaching exits to 17.
Garcia’s departure comes after Belgium’s quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Spain, who sealed the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.
The Royal Belgian Football Association announced on Monday that the 62-year-old’s contract, due to expire on July 31, will not be renewed, bringing his time with the Red Devils to an end.
Garcia guided Belgium to the last eight before their campaign was halted by Spain.
Coaches who have left after the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The latest managerial shake-up follows a series of resignations, contract expirations and dismissals in the wake of the tournament, as several football associations begin planning for the next international cycle.
The coaches who have exited their national team roles include:
Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year tenure after the World Cup.
Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Stepped down after Portugal’s Round of 16 loss to Spain.
Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Brought his nine-year spell to an end following Croatia’s Round of 32 exit against Portugal.
Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico were eliminated by England in the Round of 16.
Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left his position after the Dutch were knocked out 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 ended.
Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Departed after Scotland failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Resigned following South Korea’s early exit.
Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Was sacked after Tunisia’s opening 5-1 defeat at the tournament.
Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down after Czechia exited in the group stage.
Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated following Senegal’s elimination.
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 role after Jordan’s early exit.
Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Departed after Algeria’s disappointing campaign.
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Stepped down after Germany’s Round of 32 elimination.
The growing list of departures underlines the immense expectations placed on national team coaches at major tournaments, with many football federations opting for managerial changes as they prepare for the next phase of international competition.
