Overview
- The Royal Belgian Football Association confirmed on Monday, July 20, 2026, that it will not renew Rudi Garcia’s contract and that he will leave when his deal expires on July 31.
- Garcia took charge in early 2025 and led Belgium to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals and to retention of UEFA Nations League A status, finishing with a record of 12 wins, six draws and two defeats from 20 games.
- His short-term mandate was described as stabilisation of an ageing ‘Golden Generation’, but the World Cup campaign had uneven displays and high-profile controversies, including the substitution of Thibaut Courtois in the Spain match and the Folarin Balogun eligibility dispute.
- The RBFA said sporting director Vincent Mannaert will oversee a coaching search and reports in Belgium and the Netherlands name Mark van Bommel among early candidates to take over.
- The new coach will face a tight window to begin a fresh cycle because Belgium play Nations League matches against Italy and France in late September and must manage a planned squad transition from established stars to younger players.