Rudi Garcia will leave his role as Belgium head coach after the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) confirmed on Monday that his contract will not be renewed following the team’s run to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 62-year-old Frenchman, appointed in February 2025 as the successor to Domenico Tedesco, will step down when his deal expires on July 31, bringing an 18-month stint with the Red Devils to an end.
Garcia guided Belgium to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they were beaten 2-1 by eventual champions Spain. It was Belgium’s best performance at a major tournament since reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, although their displays in the United States, Canada and Mexico were often unconvincing.
In a statement released by the Belgian federation, Garcia reflected on his time in charge and the work done during a period of transition.
“After discussions with the RBFA, we have decided not to extend the excellent journey we have shared over the past 18 months.I leave Belgium in League A of the Nations League and among the top eight teams in the world. I would like to thank my outstanding group of players, sports director Vincent Mannaert, and the fans who supported us throughout this World Cup. I wish Belgium every success as they continue the generational transition that I was proud to help initiate.”
Garcia took charge at a difficult time for Belgian football following Tedesco’s departure. He steadied the side by preserving their place in UEFA Nations League A before leading them through World Cup qualification and into the last eight of the tournament.
The RBFA credited the former Roma, Marseille and Napoli manager with restoring stability to the national team. “Rudi Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils,” sports director Vincent Mannaert said.
“He was appointed national coach in a challenging sporting and financial context. Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and a strong result was achieved at the most recent World Cup.
“On behalf of the federation, I would like to warmly thank Rudi and his assistants for the past 18 months. Together with my team, I am currently preparing for a new cycle, including the appointment of a new national coach.”
Belgium have not named Garcia’s successor. The new coach will inherit a squad in the middle of a generational transition as the Red Devils begin preparations for their next competitive cycle.
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 announced on Monday. The Frenchman guided the Red Devils to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to eventual champions Spain.){kind=link}